SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has reaffirmed his commitment to bringing Starlink's satellite internet service to India, signaling a renewed push for its rollout in line with the nation's satellite broadband ambitions. Musk's statement came in response to a post by Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, who recently met with Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX, and her senior leadership team.
"Looking forward to serving India with Starlink!" Musk posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Scindia echoed this sentiment, stating that their discussion focused on "advancing satellite-based last-mile access across India". He emphasized the pivotal role of satellite technology in expanding connectivity to remote areas and ensuring digital inclusion for all citizens, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a digitally empowered India.
Starlink, a satellite internet venture led by Elon Musk, is among the world's most advanced satellite technology companies, delivering high-speed, low-latency internet, providing connectivity to those in the remotest and rural areas. It can bring fast and reliable internet even to places where cables cannot be laid. The company received the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in June after meeting the security requirements. Starlink is the third satcom company to get a GMPCS licence after Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio.
In November, the Maharashtra government announced a partnership with Starlink, becoming the first state to formally collaborate with the US operator. This collaboration aims to introduce satellite-based internet services to remote and underserved parts of the state, covering government institutions, public infrastructure networks, and rural communities. The rollout is subject to necessary clearances from the Centre.
While Starlink's entry into India is anticipated to boost connectivity through affordable and high-speed internet, recent reports of pricing information appearing on the Starlink India website were clarified as a "technical glitch". Lauren Dreyer, VP of Starlink Business Operations, stated that the website is not yet live and is not currently accepting orders. She clarified that any pricing figures circulating online are inaccurate and the company has not yet announced official pricing for India.
To support its operations, Starlink is deploying gateway earth stations across six cities: Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Noida. These installations are essential for maintaining low-latency connections and service reliability across India's varied geography. The company is also expanding its Bengaluru office, recruiting specialists in payments, accounting, treasury, and tax operations.
