Starlink’s India Launch Signals New Chapter in Satellite Internet Race

As licensing clears, Musk’s broadband project eyes India’s underserved markets—but questions around accessibility and infrastructure remain

Starlink is set to begin operations in India within the next two months, following approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The move positions Starlink as the third satellite internet provider licensed in the country, joining OneWeb and Reliance Jio.

India’s Internet Divide and Starlink’s Play

India’s digital divide—particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas—remains a persistent challenge, with fiber and mobile broadband unable to adequately serve millions. Starlink’s promise of high-speed internet delivered via low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites appears to target this gap.

But it’s a strategy that raises questions. While satellite broadband is often touted as a solution for the “unconnected,” its affordability remains a concern. Starlink’s entry package—₹33,000 for hardware and ₹3,000 monthly for data—may be prohibitive for the very population it claims to serve.

The company’s India pricing mirrors what it charges in Bangladesh and Bhutan, but India’s digital economy operates on tighter margins. The average monthly ARPU (average revenue per user) for telecom in India is among the lowest globally. Whether Starlink can scale in such a price-sensitive market is uncertain.

Further complicating matters is the competitive and politically complex telecom landscape, where incumbents like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel hold both scale and regulatory leverage.

Licensing Is Just the Beginning

Starlink’s approval comes at a time when India is tightening scrutiny on data policies, foreign tech infrastructure, and national security concerns. While the licence signals a green light, local operations may face ongoing regulatory hurdles, including spectrum allocation, local manufacturing requirements, and data localisation policies.

Moreover, while Starlink currently serves over 100 countries, it has had to navigate regulatory resistance in some of them, including challenges in France, South Africa, and parts of Latin America. India’s regulatory climate could present similar complexities.

What This Means for India’s Satellite Broadband Space

Starlink’s arrival adds pressure to domestic players to accelerate satellite-based services. It also spotlights the broader shift in India’s connectivity strategy—from terrestrial to orbital—especially as the country eyes 100% internet penetration.

However, its success will likely depend less on hardware capability and more on local integration, pricing flexibility, and government cooperation. For now, Starlink’s India entry appears to be a bold play—but not without friction.