Starlink is nearing its much-anticipated debut in India, and new details have emerged regarding its pricing, speed, and user availability. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI) report, Starlink plans to offer high-speed satellite internet at a starting monthly rate of around ₹3,000. However, the rollout will be initially limited to 20 lakh users nationwide.
The service is primarily aimed towards rural and remote regions where traditional broadband infrastructure is inadequate or absent. In India, Starlink is expected to deliver internet speeds ranging between 25 Mbps and 220 Mbps.
Minister of State for Telecom Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar confirmed that Starlink has received official clearance to operate in India. The satellite broadband service will utilize low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide connectivity and is expected to complement rather than compete with major Indian telecom players like Jio, Airtel, and BSNL, particularly in urban areas where existing infrastructure is well established.
While the exact launch date is yet to be announced, sources suggest that Starlink could begin operations by late 2025, with pre-orders opening in the coming months. Prospective users may need to make an upfront payment to reserve their connections. The monthly subscription is anticipated to range between ₹3,000 and ₹4,200, depending on location and usage. The hardware kit, which includes a satellite dish and router, is expected to be priced around ₹33,000, though final costs have not been confirmed.
To facilitate distribution, Starlink is reportedly partnering with Indian telecom providers such as Airtel and Jio under infrastructure-sharing agreements, making deployment smoother across the country.
Looking forward, Starlink is developing a next-generation satellite network, expected to launch by 2026, that could offer over 1,000 Gbps of capacity per satellite. These upgrades aim to dramatically enhance internet speeds, potentially increasing current download rates by up to tenfold, which is particularly beneficial for underserved regions.
Despite the high initial hardware costs and the user cap, Starlink isn’t expected to disrupt mainstream internet providers in urban areas. However, it holds major potential in rural India, where connectivity options are scarce, offering a crucial digital bridge.