Starlink hovering over India: But will it land safely?

SpaceX is teaming up with Bharti Airtel, and Jio to bring Starlink's satellite internet services to India! Airtel and Jio independently announced the decision to bring Starlink in India in the past few days, but there's a catch—it all depends on whether SpaceX gets the green light from regulators to sell its products and services.

If things go as planned, this collaboration could do wonders for internet access across India. Airtel and Jio might stock Starlink equipment in their stores and even provide Starlink’s lightning-fast satellite internet to businesses.

Beyond that, they’re looking to work together on initiatives that could transform connectivity for rural schools, healthcare centers, and underserved communities—closing the gap in digital access and bringing reliable internet to places that need it most.

What is Starlink you may ask?

Let’s dive into it below

It is a SpaceX initiative that aims to deliver global internet coverage. It is ideally suited for rural and geographically isolated areas where internet connectivity is unreliable or nonexistent.

How does it work?

Unlike traditional cable-based broadband services, Starlink utilises a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver high-speed internet connectivity.

What sets Starlink apart is the design and operation of its satellites. Unlike conventional satellite providers, which often grapple with issues like slower speeds and higher latency, Starlink deploys a constellation of 6,000 compact, tablet-sized satellites that interconnect to ensure low-latency, high-speed internet.

Moreover, Starlink has plans to expand its network by launching nearly 42,000 additional satellites in the near future, further enhancing its service and global reach.

What are their prices and speeds like?

For all the technological innovation it offers, the pricing seems a little steep when the price-sensitive Indian consumer is taken into account.

As per its U.S pricing structure, the service currently offers two plans: Residential and Business.

• Residential plan costs $110 (₹9,601 approx.) per month, with a one-time hardware fee of $599 (₹52,285 approx.)

• Business plan is priced at $500 (₹43,644 approx.) per month, accompanied by a one-time equipment charge of $2,500 (₹ 2,18,220 approx.).

For both the plans, Starlink offers a speed range of 25 Mbps to 150 Mbps.

But the pricing may not be the same for India as the company might introduce different pricing plans. As an example, we can look at the pricing structure introduced by Starlink in Bhutan.

As per the article by Business Today, Starlink slashed its prices by a half with the Standard Residential plan costing BTN 4,200 (₹4,201 approx.) per month, offering speeds between 25 Mbps and 110 Mbps.

Additionally, Business Today anticipates that if Starlink is launched in India, considering the higher taxation and to be competitive with other Indian satellite broadband providers, Indian consumers would have to shell out between ₹3,500-₹4,500 per month.

While Starlink’s pricing remains on the higher side, it’s essential to compare it with existing broadband plans in India to understand how it stacks up against local alternatives.

Source: jio.com, airtel.in

How will this benefit Jio and Bharti Airtel?

Jio is integrating Starlink into its broadband ecosystem, offering high-speed internet through its retail and online platforms to enhance accessibility. This partnership aligns with Jio's goal of delivering affordable, seamless connectivity across India.

Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel plans to leverage Starlink's technology to boost its existing broadband services, especially in rural areas. With its extensive distribution network, Airtel aims to bridge connectivity gaps and make Starlink services widely available in underserved regions.

What are the challenges for Starlink?

Bringing Starlink to India isn’t going to be a walk in the park. India has some of the strictest telecom and space regulations, and SpaceX will have to navigate a maze of approvals before launching its services. From spectrum allocation to data storage compliance, security clearances, and landing rights, the regulatory checklist is long.

In fact, Starlink has already had a run-in with Indian authorities—it previously faced setbacks for accepting pre-bookings without securing proper licences. That said, their alliance with Jio and Airtel should help ease some burdens this time around.

Then there’s the cost factor. Starlink’s pricing is significantly higher than what Indian consumers are used to. With a hardware fee of ₹25,000-₹35,000 and a monthly subscription of ₹5,000-₹7,000, it’s far beyond the average broadband ARPU (₹400-₹600).

For Starlink to gain mass adoption, it may need to rethink its pricing strategy—perhaps by introducing India-specific plans or partnering with government schemes aimed at bridging the digital divide.

Outlook

Starlink’s entry into India could shake up the telecom industry, challenging traditional broadband providers. It presents the potential to disrupt the market by bypassing traditional infrastructure. This could push domestic players to improve service quality, innovate technologies and rethink pricing.

Beyond competition, the real game-changer is digital inclusion. If Starlink succeeds, rural India—remote villages, Himalayan regions, and island territories—could get reliable internet for the first time, boosting sectors like education, healthcare, and disaster management.

Industry-wise, this presents both opportunities and risks. If Starlink cracks India’s regulatory and pricing challenges, it could tap into a massive underserved market. But with high costs and tough competition, success is far from guaranteed.