Elon Musk Backed Starlink India Limited to 2 Million Users, 200 Mbps Speed: MoS Teleco

The Indian government has capped Starlink’s user base at 20 lakh connections across the country. This was confirmed by Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Telecommunications, during a BSNL review meeting on July 28, 2025.

As per news reports, Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will be allowed to provide internet speeds of up to 200 Mbps. The service is expected to cater mainly to users in rural and remote parts of India.

According to Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, the upfront cost of Starlink’s satellite setup will be high. Monthly charges for the service are expected to be around ₹3,000, making it a costly option for most users.

IN-SPACe Approval Details

Starlink has received authorisation from IN-SPACe to operate its Gen 1 satellite constellation in Indian airspace. The licence is valid for 5five years, up to July 7, 2030.

The Starlink system uses low Earth orbit satellites to deliver broadband internet. The service is to support activities like video calls, streaming, and online gaming through home or portable equipment.

BSNL’s 4G Rollout 

BSNL has completed its 4G rollout. The minister confirmed that there are no current plans for a tariff hike and that the company is focusing on expanding its user base.

Pemmasani said BSNL has replaced over 30,000 power stations, spending ₹600-₹700 crore to address earlier technical issues. These changes have contributed to a 20-30% revenue increase in the first quarter of FY26.

BSNL is in the process of phasing out older 2G and 3G technology. Equipment from Chinese vendors, including ZTE, will gradually be replaced with indigenous systems.

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

Conclusion

While Starlink has received the go-ahead to operate in India, its services will be limited by capacity and pricing. Meanwhile, BSNL is focusing on network upgrades and service expansion without increasing tariffs.

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