Elon Musk's Starlink Debut May Take Time In India

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, may not begin services in India in the immediate future, as per reports by NDTV Profit. Several regulatory and operational approvals are still pending, making a launch within the next month improbable.

Approval Process Still Underway

According to Dr. CS Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications, Starlink has not yet received authorisation from IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre). The company is also required to set up Earth stations on the ground to operate its services. Additionally, the test spectrum allotted to Starlink has not been fully validated yet.

Pricing Rumours Dismissed

Recent reports claimed that Starlink could charge Indian users around ₹3,000 per month for its satellite internet service, with an initial cost of ₹33,000 for the terminal kits. “Those prices are typical of developed markets. It’s far too early to say what the final pricing in India will be,” Dr Pemmasani said.

Framework for Satellite Internet 

India is in the process of drafting a regulatory framework for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services. This framework is expected to guide how satellite internet providers like Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper can offer services in the country.

Until the framework is finalised and operators receive necessary clearances, none of these companies, including Starlink, can begin commercial operations in India.

Competition in the Sector

The government has indicated that it supports competition in the satellite communication (SATCOM) space. This includes allowing both domestic and international players to participate, subject to approvals.

Read more: Elon Musk’s Starlink Gets Approval to Begin Satellite Internet Services in India!

Conclusion

As of now, Starlink’s entry into the Indian market remains on hold. With infrastructure requirements unmet and key authorisations still pending, a launch within the next few weeks appears unlikely. Pricing details also remain undecided, and any service rollout will depend on the completion of the ongoing regulatory process.

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