Elon Musk’s Starlink is reportedly preparing to enter the Indian market with satellite internet plans priced significantly lower than its offerings in other countries.
With regulatory approvals nearly in place, the SpaceX-backed company could soon provide high-speed internet access in remote and underserved regions across India.
According to a report by The Economic Times, Starlink is likely to launch plans starting as low as $10 (around ₹850) per month. These promotional packages may include unlimited data to attract a large subscriber base quickly. The move aims to scale operations and offset high spectrum costs through volume benefits, with a target to reach 10 million users.
Earlier this month, Starlink received a Letter of Intent from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), enabling it to initiate satellite-based internet services in the country. However, the final framework is still under review. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended an additional ₹500 monthly fee per urban user, which could push the cost of satellite services higher than traditional broadband. These are yet to be approved by the government.
Other regulatory costs under consideration include a 4 percent adjusted gross revenue (AGR) levy, with a minimum annual charge of ₹3,500 per spectrum block, along with an 8 percent licensing fee for commercial operations.
Despite these potential financial constraints, Starlink and similar satellite communication firms are expected to offer competitively priced plans in order to recover their initial capital expenditures and infrastructure investments.
If Starlink launches plans at the projected ₹850 per month rate, India would become one of the countries with the cheapest access to Starlink’s satellite internet services.
Starlink, developed by Elon Musk's aerospace company SpaceX, delivers broadband internet using a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites orbiting 550 kilometers above the planet. This technology enables high-speed, low-latency internet access in even the most remote areas.
In contrast, Starlink’s services in the United States begin at $80 (around ₹6,800) per month under the Residential Lite plan, which includes unlimited but deprioritised data. Users also need to purchase a Starlink standard kit for a one-time cost of $349 (approximately ₹29,700).
Additionally, Starlink offers Roam plans targeted at frequent travelers. These start at $50 (roughly ₹4,200) for 50GB of data and require the Starlink Mini Kit, priced at $299 (around ₹25,400).