Starlink has been approved for satellite internet service in India and may launch in 2025. Estimated pricing will be ₹900 to ₹3,000 monthly. This service will provide high-speed internet to remote areas.
Starlink: A big piece of good news has emerged for millions of Indians struggling with internet service in remote areas. Elon Musk's company, Starlink, has finally received approval from the Indian government to start satellite-based internet service. This step is going to give a new direction to India's digital revolution. Starlink is already providing its services in more than 100 countries, and now India is going to join this list. Starlink's services in India can prove to be very effective not only in cities, but also in rural and mountainous areas to provide internet.
Official approval for Starlink in India
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center), an institution under the Indian government, has given Starlink a commercial license for five years on July 7, 2025. This approval will be valid until July 7, 2030, under which the company will be able to provide service through its Gen1 low-Earth orbit satellites. With this approval, Starlink has become the third company in India, after OneWeb and Jio Satellite, to be allowed to provide satellite internet service.
Why is there a delay in launch?
Although the license has been received, Starlink still needs to complete some necessary procedures. The company needs to:
- Prepare ground infrastructure
- Await spectrum allocation
- Complete security standards checks
It may take a few months to complete these procedures. According to a Reuters report, Starlink's services may start in India by early 2025.
Why is Starlink special?
Starlink is a special internet service that does not depend on fiber cables or mobile towers. It works with the help of hundreds of small satellites, which revolve in low-Earth orbit (LEO) near the Earth and are connected to each other through laser technology. Because of this, this service provides a fast and more stable internet connection. The biggest advantage of Starlink is that it can easily provide internet even in remote areas. With its help, you can get low latency, good speed and 24x7 internet connection - whether you are in a city or in a village or a mountainous area.
Potential prices and plans in India
Official announcement of Starlink prices in India has not been made yet, but some estimates can be made by looking at the international model. The standard hardware kit may be available for around ₹30,000 and the mini kit for around ₹43,000. These kits are essential equipment for using Starlink internet.
As for monthly plans, an initial promotional plan may be available at ₹900 per month and an unlimited data plan at ₹3,000 per month. However, these prices may fluctuate slightly depending on the user's location and usage. Starlink will be especially beneficial for those who live in villages or remote areas where common internet is not available.
Starlink's partnerships in India
To expand its service in India, the company has also partnered with some domestic companies:
- Jio: Starlink equipment will be sold at Jio retail stores.
- Airtel: Under the agreement with Starlink, Airtel can also use it to increase internet service in its remote areas.
- BSNL 'Direct-to-Device' service: BSNL is developing a competitive service that will provide internet directly to Android devices from satellites. Starlink may face stiff competition from this.
Who will benefit the most?
Starlink's entry into India can prove to be a boon especially for remote, mountainous, border, and tribal areas. Schools, hospitals, government offices and small businessmen who are still deprived of the internet will now be able to become a part of Digital India.
By using Starlink internet:
- Tele-medicine will be promoted
- Online education will be strengthened
- Monitoring of government schemes will become easier
- Startups and e-commerce in rural areas will get new energy
Impact of Starlink: Beyond the Internet, the beginning of change
The arrival of Starlink in India is not just the beginning of a new internet service, but it is like a digital revolution. This will enable even those villages and remote areas of the country to connect to the internet where connectivity had not reached so far. This initiative will strengthen the 'Digital India' mission and can bring big changes in many sectors like education, health, and business.
