Starlink expected to launch in India soon: Will come with speed of 700 gigabytes per second, starting price of just Rs 850 per month, and more

Starlink to launch in India: With its high-speed satellite internet services, Elon Musk's Starlink is poised to light up the Indian sky. The stage is prepared for Starlink's India debut, which is anticipated to transform the nation's internet environment after months of anticipation. However, what can Indians anticipate from this state-of-the-art technology?

Starlink hopes to close the digital divide, particularly in underserved and rural areas, with its strong bandwidth and low-latency connectivity. Everyone wonders about plans, availability, and pricing as the business prepares to launch its services.

To find out what this implies for internet customers in India, let's examine the specifics of Starlink's introduction, features, and pricing.

Starlink expected launch timeline for India

Elon Musk's long-awaited satellite internet service, Starlink, is anticipated to launch shortly in India. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sent the company a Letter of Intent, indicating that the regulatory procedure is well underway, according to a report by NDTV Profit. The official rollout is expected within the next year.

Also Read: Elon Musk brings Starlink to Bangladesh before India & Pakistan - Here's how much it costs

About Starlink launch in India

According to sources, Starlink will launch with bandwidth ranging from 600Gbps to 700Gbps, serving between 30,000 and 50,000 people in a few cities. By 2027, the business intends to increase this to 3Tbps, allowing for wider service coverage throughout India.

It is anticipated that Starlink will revolutionize internet access in rural and isolated areas with inadequate traditional broadband infrastructure. Previously underserved locations can now receive high-speed internet thanks to a network of low-Earth orbit satellites.

Starlink's expected price in India

The satellite-based internet service provider owned by Elon Musk - will begin India operations within 12 months | Credit: Reuters

The Economic Times revealed a leak that suggests monthly subscriptions start at just USD 10 (about Rs 850), while final pricing information is still awaited. This is much less expensive than the current pricing of USD 80 in the US. Unlimited data may also be offered during the launch phase as part of promotional deals to entice early users.

Starlink will incur significant regulatory costs despite its aggressive pricing strategy. A monthly fee of Rs 500 per urban user, a revenue share of 4%, an 8% licensing fee, and an annual spectrum fee of Rs 3,500 are all suggested by TRAI. Although they have not yet been approved, these could impact long-term pricing.

For its hardware kit in other areas, Starlink charges a one-time cost of USD 349 (about Rs 29,700). The exact price in India is unknown; however, it will be changed to reflect the local market.

Starlink has the potential to upend India's internet market with prices as low as Rs 850 and plans to launch nationally. Users in remote areas now face limited connectivity and may particularly benefit from the service. Starlink has the potential to close the digital gap in India and bring about a new era of internet accessibility if it is implemented correctly.

B2B deal of Airtel and Jio

The business will introduce several subscription plans after concluding business-to-business agreements with Indian ISPs Reliance Jio, Vodafone, and Bharti Airtel. According to the article, Starlink will provide its clients with a DTC model and the basic model routed through ISPs.

Stalink's premium offering will be the direct-to-consumer business model. The subscriber will receive a personal ground station under this arrangement, which will cost approximately Rs 50,000.