Starlink Focuses on Rural India Ahead of Broadband Launch

By siliconindia | Friday, 24 October 2025, 04:32 Hrs

Starlink emphasizes rural users as key to India rollout.
Regulatory approvals in place, infrastructure being set up.
Expected pricing around Rs 3,000/month with high setup costs.

Elon Musk’s Starlink is preparing to launch its satellite broadband services in India, with a strong focus on connecting rural areas. The company said that without rural users, its capacity in India would remain underutilized. According to Parnil Urdhwareshe, Starlink’s India Market Access Director, rural connectivity is central to the company’s mission, as most of its global users live in areas where it provides the first real broadband option.

Starlink pointed out that urban regions like Mumbai can accommodate only about a tenth of the potential user base compared with rural districts. The company aims to complement existing internet services and ensure high-quality connectivity across both urban and rural areas.

The firm has secured key regulatory approvals, including a GMPCS license and authorization from IN-SPACe for its Gen 1 satellite constellation over India. The final step before launching is the allocation of operational spectrum by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Starlink is also setting up infrastructure, including gateway stations, to support its satellite communication services.

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Pricing details are yet to be finalized but are expected to include a monthly subscription of around Rs 3,000 and a one-time installation fee of approximately Rs 33,000. The service is projected to serve up to 2 million users initially, with speeds of up to 200 Mbps. Partnerships with Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms may help distribute Starlink equipment and expand connectivity to institutions like schools and healthcare centers.

Industry experts say affordable spectrum pricing will be critical to reach rural users, a significant market opportunity given that nearly 40% of India’s population still lacks reliable internet access. Starlink is positioning itself to bridge this digital divide while entering a competitive satellite broadband market in India.