Starlink to Launch in India Soon with Affordable Plans

Starlink's Upcoming Launch in India

Elon Musk's satellite internet service, Starlink, is preparing to commence operations in India within the next two months after obtaining a license last week. This makes Starlink the third provider to receive approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), following Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio.

Subscription Costs and Free Trial

As part of its launch strategy, Starlink will offer a complimentary one-month trial to customers who purchase the necessary equipment before their subscription fees kick in. The company has also revealed its pricing for the Indian market, with the satellite dish and device priced at approximately ₹33,000. The monthly unlimited data plan is expected to cost around ₹3,000 at launch.

Starlink's Vision for Connectivity

Starlink aims to transform internet access in India's remote and underserved areas, where traditional broadband services are often unavailable or challenging to establish. Utilizing a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink provides high-speed internet to locations that lack conventional land-based connectivity.

The pricing for Starlink's services will align with those in neighboring countries, with the device also costing ₹33,000 in Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Global Operations of Starlink

Currently, Starlink operates in over 100 countries, offering both residential and roaming internet services. The residential options include 'Residential Lite' for minimal usage and smaller households, and a standard 'Residential' plan for larger families with greater data requirements. Earlier this year, Starlink entered into agreements with major Indian telecom firms, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.