Following recent talks between Starlink and the Indian government, Elon Musk has expressed his enthusiasm for potentially serving India with Starlink's satellite internet services. This development follows a meeting between Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX, and India's Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with other senior company officials. The discussions centered around expanding satellite-based last-mile internet access throughout India, with a focus on reaching remote and rural areas.
Scindia emphasized the importance of satellite connectivity in bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive development, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a digitally empowered nation. He noted that satellite technology would be crucial in extending connectivity to the most remote parts of the country, strengthening internet access for every citizen in rural and hard-to-reach regions, and accelerating broader development through digital inclusion.
Starlink's efforts in India have been gaining momentum. The company has already secured a key deal with the state of Maharashtra for rural connectivity and has obtained the necessary licenses to operate in the country. Starlink has also been actively setting up ground stations and is planning a commercial launch in late 2025 or early 2026.
Starlink is deploying gateway earth stations across Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Noida to facilitate satellite-to-ground communications. These relay installations are essential for maintaining low-latency connections and service reliability across India’s diverse geography. The company also posted openings for specialist positions at its Bengaluru office in October, seeking talent in payments, accounting, treasury, and tax operations as part of infrastructure expansion.
While Starlink has not yet announced official pricing for its services in India, there has been speculation about potential costs. Initial pricing of ₹8,600 per month was briefly displayed on the Starlink India website but was later removed and identified as a "technical glitch". The company clarified that the website is not yet live and is not accepting orders, with real plans to be revealed after securing final government approvals. However, recent reports suggest that Starlink is planning to launch its satellite communication services in India for retail customers at ₹2,500–3,500 per month.
Starlink has secured the necessary licenses, including the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license, allowing it to provide satcom services to retail customers. They have also obtained a VSAT license and authorization for flight and maritime connectivity, enabling service provision across multiple sectors.
The company intends to provide services across industries including maritime, aviation, retail, and enterprise. Elon Musk has stated that Starlink will complement existing telecom operators, as its low-earth-orbit network is better suited for serving rural and remote areas that are difficult to reach with traditional infrastructure.
Maharashtra has taken the lead by partnering with Starlink to bring satellite-based internet connectivity to remote and rural areas. The partnership aims to connect government institutions, rural communities, and critical public infrastructure across regions that have long struggled with poor or no internet access. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the collaboration would help bring satellite internet services to government bodies, rural areas and key public infrastructure, especially in districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim and Dharashiv, which are described as remote or underserved.
Starlink's entry into the Indian market is anticipated to bring high-speed connectivity to areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is lacking, potentially transforming access to information and services for individuals and businesses alike.
