Elon Musk’s Starlink Broadband: Starlink Finally Gets Green Light from Indian Space Regulator

Expert Desk

2 weeks ago

Elon Musk’s Starlink Approved in India – Satellite Internet Revolution

India’s space regulator on Wednesday granted Starlink a licence to launch commercial operations in the country, clearing the only remaining regulatory hurdle for the satellite provider to enter the marketDiscover how Starlink’s recent IN-SPACe approval paves the way for high-speed satellite internet across India—plans, pricing, partners, and rollout timeline.

India Launch: A New Era of Internet Connectivity Begins

In a historic move that could transform digital access across India, Elon Musk’s SpaceX-backed Starlink has officially received the green light from India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, to launch its satellite-based broadband services in the country. This approval marks a major milestone in India’s connectivity landscape—especially for rural, remote, and underserved regions where traditional fiber or mobile internet struggles to reach.

After months of anticipation and regulatory back-and-forth, Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd has been granted a five-year license to operate in India using its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. This makes Starlink the third player in India’s satellite internet space, following OneWeb (Bharti-Eutelsat) and Jio-SES, and paves the way for a full commercial rollout expected by the end of 2025.

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When Will Starlink Launch?

Starlink may begin pilot testing its satellite broadband services in selected remote and rural areas by October–November 2025, before scaling nationwide. Early access could be provided to high-altitude villages, educational institutions, and disaster-prone zones, where traditional infrastructure is weak or nonexistent.

Full Commercial Launch by December 2025

If all goes as planned, Indian consumers could start purchasing terminals and subscription plans by the end of 2025.

Pricing & Packages: What to Expect?

• Estimated ₹850/month (~$10) based on early reports.
• Equipment cost: ₹25k (~$300) for user terminal and router, though consumer pricing not yet final .
• Comparison to fibre: Far higher than ₹11–15k/year fibre plans, but satellite offers unique reach and reliability.

Telco Partnerships: Jio & Airtel on Board

Yes, both Airtel and Jio have partnered with Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, to bring Starlink’s services to India.

. These agreements involve distributing Starlink’s satellite broadband services through Jio and Airtel’s existing retail networks, particularly in rural and remote areas. The partnerships are seen as a way to expand high-speed internet access in India, with a focus on areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is limited.

• Jio and Airtel have each signed tie-up agreements with SpaceX to retail hardware, install services, and bundle offerings .
• These alliances may ensure smoother rollout via 15,000+ stores (Jio) and enterprise channels (Airtel).

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What’s Included in the Starlink Kit?

The user terminal connects directly to Starlink’s low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed, low-latency internet, even in the most remote corners of India. Speeds may range from 50 to 250 Mbps, depending on location and network load.

Compared to traditional fiber broadband plans from Jio, Airtel, or BSNL, Starlink may seem expensive. However, its value lies in coverage—not price. It’s ideal for:
• Remote villages with no mobile or wired connectivity
• Border areas and hilly terrains
• Disaster zones and temporary camps
• Off-grid users like researchers, wildlife officers, and digital nomads.

Bridging the Digital Divide with Elon Musk’s Satellite Internet

Starlink’s regulatory approval marks a milestone in India’s connectivity journey. Though pricing and infrastructure rollouts remain concerns, the entry of global satellite technology—backed by Indian telecom giants—could revolutionize access in hard‑to‑reach regions. All eyes are on the next steps: spectrum allocation, ground station deployment, and a pilot launch by December 2025. The satellite internet race in India is now officially on.The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has granted Starlink a license to operate commercially in India for the next five years. This makes Starlink the third company, after OneWeb and Reliance Jio, to receive approval for satellite internet services in the country.