Elon Musk’s Starlink Gets Green Light to Revolutionize Internet in India

Highlights

• Starlink receives approval to operate in India, promising high-speed internet to remote areas.
• Partnerships with Jio and Airtel to facilitate distribution and support.
• Affordable pricing at less than $10 per month, but hardware costs may be a barrier.
• Aims to attract up to 10 million subscribers, potentially revolutionizing internet access in India.
• Starlink’s satellite-based approach could bridge the digital divide in India, offering connectivity to underserved regions.

Elon Musk’s ambitious satellite internet project, Starlink, has finally received the green light to operate in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital landscape. The approval, confirmed by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on June 18, 2025, via X, paves the way for Starlink to provide high-speed internet to even the most remote corners of India

Approval and Regulatory Milestones

Starlink has been issued a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) permit by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), allowing it to offer satellite-based broadband services across the country. This approval comes after months of negotiations and regulatory hurdles, positioning Starlink as a formidable player in India’s burgeoning satellite internet market.

Competition in the Satellite Internet Space

Starlink is not alone in this space. It faces competition from established players like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications, both of which have already received similar approvals from the DoT. Additionally, Amazon’s Project Kuiper is also vying for a slice of the Indian market, although it is still awaiting regulatory clearances, as noted in The Hindu on June 6, 2025.

Strategic Partnerships with Jio and Airtel

To bolster its presence in India, Starlink has forged partnerships with two of the country’s leading telecommunications giants, Jio and Airtel. These collaborations will facilitate the distribution and support of Starlink’s services, leveraging the extensive networks and customer bases of Jio and Airtel, which together control over 70% of the Indian telecommunications market, as per The Times of India.

Affordable Pricing and Hardware Requirements

One of the key attractions of Starlink is its competitive pricing. According to reports, Starlink plans to offer unlimited data plans for less than $10 (approximately Rs 840) per month at promotional rates. However, the hardware required to access Starlink’s services comes at a higher cost compared to traditional broadband options. The satellite dish and modem kit is expected to be priced between $250 (approximately Rs 21,300) and $380 (approximately Rs 32,400), which may pose a challenge for widespread adoption, particularly among price-sensitive consumers. In comparison, Indian broadband services often come with lower hardware costs and additional benefits like OTT subscriptions, as per industry insights from The Times of India.

Subscriber Targets and Long-Term Vision

Industry experts estimate that Starlink could attract up to 10 million subscribers in India in the medium to long term. This ambitious target reflects the significant demand for reliable internet connectivity in a country where millions still lack access to basic digital services. Starlink’s satellite-based approach promises to bridge this digital divide by providing internet access to remote and rural areas that are traditionally underserved by terrestrial networks.

How Starlink Works

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, Elon Musk’s aerospace company. It consists of a fleet of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that work together to provide broadband internet coverage to regions where access has been unreliable or completely unavailable. The satellites are placed at an altitude of about 550 km, much closer to Earth than traditional satellites, which allows for lower latency and higher internet speeds.

Users connect to the Starlink network using a user terminal, which is a satellite dish that communicates with the satellites overhead. This terminal is connected to a modem, which then provides internet access to devices within the home or business.

Global Impact of Starlink

Since its initial beta testing phase in 2020, Starlink has expanded its services to numerous countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several others. The service has been particularly transformative in rural and remote areas, where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking. For instance, in the United States, Starlink has provided high-speed internet to farmers, enabling them to use precision agriculture techniques that require real-time data.

In disaster-stricken areas, Starlink has proven to be a lifeline, offering connectivity when terrestrial networks are down. For example, during the wildfires in California, Starlink provided internet access to affected communities, allowing them to stay connected and access critical information, as reported in various global tech news outlets.

Starlink in India: Addressing the Digital Divide

India, with its vast and diverse geography, faces significant challenges in providing internet access to all its citizens. While urban areas boast high-speed broadband, rural and remote regions often struggle with slow or non-existent connectivity. Starlink’s satellite-based approach could be a game-changer, offering a solution that doesn’t rely on laying cables or building traditional infrastructure.

The Indian government has been pushing for digital inclusion through various initiatives, including the Digital India program. Starlink’s entry aligns with these efforts, potentially accelerating the government’s goal of connecting every village and town with high-speed internet, as per government policy documents.

Economic and Social Implications

The availability of high-speed internet in remote areas could have profound economic and social implications. It could enable better access to education, healthcare, and government services, as well as open up new opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment. For instance, students in rural areas could access online learning platforms, farmers could use digital tools for market information and weather forecasts, and small businesses could expand their reach through e-commerce.

Moreover, Starlink could play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide between urban and rural India, ensuring that all citizens have equal access to the opportunities that the digital economy offers.

Challenges and Opportunities

While Starlink’s arrival in India is a cause for celebration, it also comes with its set of challenges. The high cost of hardware may deter some potential users, and the service’s dependence on satellite technology means it could be affected by weather conditions and other external factors. Nevertheless, the opportunities presented by Starlink are immense, from enhancing educational outcomes in rural areas to boosting e-commerce and digital entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

Starlink’s approval to operate in India marks a new chapter in the country’s digital journey. With its promise of high-speed internet for all, Starlink has the potential to transform lives and economies across India. As the service rolls out, it will be interesting to see how it integrates with existing telecommunications infrastructure and how it shapes the future of connectivity in the world’s largest democracy.