Starlink India Pricing Revealed: How Much Does Musk’s Internet Service Cost?
After much anticipation, Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, has officially revealed its pricing structure for the Indian market. The company is gearing up for a commercial rollout, aiming to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access, especially in remote and underserved areas where traditional internet infrastructure struggles to reach.
The Starlink India website now reflects the cost of its Residential plan, set at ₹8,600 per month. In addition to the monthly fee, there is a one-time hardware cost of ₹34,000. This hardware kit includes the Starlink dish, Wi-Fi router, mounting gear, cables, and power supply.
The Residential plan offers unlimited data and a 30-day trial period, allowing new users to assess the service's performance before committing fully. Starlink emphasizes the ease of setting up the equipment, stating that customers can simply plug it in and begin using the service. The company also claims that the system is designed to operate in all weather conditions and is engineered to deliver over 99.9% uptime.
While the pricing for the Residential plan has been announced, details regarding the Business subscription tier have not yet been shared. The company is expected to outline its commercial offerings in the coming weeks as it finalizes its rollout plans and continues discussions with relevant authorities.
Starlink's entry into the Indian market has been long awaited. The service aims to redefine reliable internet, especially in areas where conventional options are limited or inconsistent. It utilizes a constellation of satellites orbiting thousands of kilometers above the Earth to provide a direct internet connection. This eliminates the need for extensive terrestrial infrastructure, making it suitable for challenging terrains and remote locations.
The company has received a Unified License from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to operate in India, agreeing to comply with domestic laws and security conditions. This includes setting up earth station gateways within India to route communications from the satellites to users. Recent reports also suggest that Starlink is planning to establish gateway earth stations in multiple locations across India, including Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Noida.
Starlink's imminent launch in India marks a significant step in bridging the digital divide and providing high-speed internet access to those who need it most. While the cost may be higher than traditional broadband services, the benefits of reliable connectivity in remote areas could outweigh the price for many users. The company has also partnered with the government of Maharashtra to provide satellite internet in remote regions of the state.
The service is expected to offer download speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 220 Mbps, depending on location and other factors. While city-specific pricing appears to be unavailable as the service is not yet fully operational, the Starlink website allows users to check plan prices and promotional offers based on their location.
