Starlink to Offer ₹3,000 Monthly Internet in India, Will Not Disrupt Telecom Players

Elon Musk's satellite internet venture, Starlink, is set to enter the Indian market with an expected monthly subscription price of ₹3,000, according to Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications. In a conversation with a news agency, the minister clarified that Starlink’s entry will not disrupt the operations of existing telecom providers due to its limited reach and high initial setup cost.

This announcement arrives amid growing curiosity about Starlink’s commercial rollout in India, particularly in underserved and rural areas that lack high-speed broadband.

Starlink India Pricing and Scope of Service

Starlink Monthly Tariff and Hardware Cost

Starlink's basic monthly plan is likely to cost around ₹3,000, but it is the upfront cost of the Starlink terminal—the equipment needed to access satellite internet—that could be a major barrier to adoption.

“The monthly subscription will be approximately ₹3,000, [but] the upfront cost of a Starlink terminal will be quite high,” said the Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications.

This pricing strategy indicates a focus on niche markets such as remote locations, hilly terrains, border regions, and disaster-hit areas where traditional telecom networks are either unavailable or unreliable.

Limited Reach: Only 20 Lakh Connections Expected

Starlink’s infrastructure will be able to support around 20 lakh (2 million) connections across India, suggesting a targeted rollout rather than nationwide coverage.

“Satellite communication services like Starlink cannot provide meaningful pan-India connectivity and are not a risk to existing telecom players,” the minister emphasized.

Partnerships with Jio and Airtel for Enterprise Connectivity

To augment its network capabilities, Starlink has signed non-exclusive commercial agreements with leading Indian telecom operators, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. These partnerships are focused on satellite-based backhaul and enterprise-level connectivity, helping both parties extend high-speed services to rural and low-density areas.

While Starlink may offer direct-to-consumer satellite broadband in isolated regions, these collaborations serve as a strategic move to blend satellite capacity with existing ground-based infrastructure.

Regulatory Challenges and Policy Compliance

Starlink had initially begun accepting pre-orders in India, but the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) flagged regulatory violations in 2021, leading the company to halt bookings and issue refunds to customers.

Its current efforts are geared toward aligning with India’s telecom policy and securing necessary approvals for commercial operations.

Satellite Broadband: A Complement, Not a Competitor

Experts and government officials view satellite broadband as a complementary connectivity solution, especially in terrains where laying fiber or towers is logistically or economically infeasible. However, its high costs, limited scalability, and slower speeds in high-density zones mean it is unlikely to challenge traditional broadband in urban and semi-urban markets.

“It is not a risk to existing telecom players,” the minister reiterated.

Conclusion

Starlink’s anticipated rollout in India at a monthly cost of ₹3,000 signifies a major step toward bringing satellite-based internet to underserved and rural regions. Backed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the service aims to act as a supplementary solution rather than a direct competitor to existing telecom operators, as clarified by DoT Minister Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.

While the high upfront cost of the Starlink terminal and the capped capacity of around 20 lakh connections may limit its reach, its true value lies in enabling connectivity where traditional fiber or mobile networks struggle. With partnerships already in place with major players like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, Starlink is positioning itself as a vital link in India’s Digital India ambitions.

As regulatory approvals are awaited, the service’s success will depend on policy support, affordability, and infrastructure synergy with existing networks. Overall, Starlink has the potential to bridge critical connectivity gaps across India.