• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Elon Musk’s Starlink and a clutch of global satellite internet players could soon be launching services in India. These include Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Reliance Jio’s joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES, and Globalstar. While official pricing hasn’t been disclosed yet, fresh insights suggest users might get high-speed satellite internet on the move for less than what they pay for traditional broadband.

A report by The Economic Times, citing analyst estimates, claims that Starlink may roll out unlimited data plans at introductory prices of under $10 (around Rs 840) per month as It aims to enter and capitalize on the world’s second-largest telecommunications market.

ALSO READ: iPhone 17 Pro Max Could Ditch Titanium For A Fresh Look And A Bigger Battery: Here's What To Expect From Apple's Latest Lineup

Although licensing and spectrum fees remain steep in India, satellite internet companies are reportedly crafting budget-friendly plans to appeal to a wide audience—targeting as many as 10 million users over the mid to long term. Their strategy focuses on rapid expansion while spreading infrastructure costs across a large customer network.

“The strategy is to price services affordably—below $10—to encourage adoption and distribute fixed costs across a broader customer base,” said Ashwinder Sethi, partner at global TMT consultancy Analysys Mason.

Expensive Kit Installation

But while the monthly data pricing may be competitive, the real hurdle could be the cost of hardware. As per the report, the cost of Starlink kits worldwide ranges between $250 (approximately Rs 21,300) and $380 (around Rs 32,400). That’s a steep ask in a country where home broadband services not only come cheaper but also offer up to 1 Gbps speeds and bundled OTT subscriptions with minimal setup costs.

On the regulatory front, both Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES have already received the green light to operate in India. Starlink, meanwhile, has been issued a letter of intent from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and is awaiting final approval from the Indian space regulator, according to a recent report.

Unlike traditional broadband, satellite internet doesn’t rely on cell towers or fibre cables. This makes it an ideal solution for areas with limited or no infrastructure—especially remote or rural regions where deployment costs are otherwise prohibitive.

ALSO READ: Best Recharge Plans Under ₹200 With Free Disney+ Hotstar Subscription: Jio, Airtel & Vodafone Idea