Outlook Business Desk
Minister of State for Rural Development and Telecommunications, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, said billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink can offer only 20 lakh connections in India. Starlink, a satellite-based internet service by SpaceX, faces this cap to protect Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and private telecom firms, reported PTI.
“Starlink can have only 20 lakh customers in India and offer up to 200 Mbps speed. That won't affect telecom services,” Minister Pemmasani told PTI during a review meeting on BSNL.
Starlink's satellite internet services are expected to focus on rural and remote areas of India—regions where BSNL already has a significant presence. This rural overlap is why the government is monitoring Starlink’s entry closely.
Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said Starlink's upfront hardware cost will be high, and users may have to pay around ₹3,000 per month for the service. These pricing details make it unlikely to disrupt affordable local telecom offerings.
BSNL has completed its 4G network rollout, Minister Pemmasani confirmed. He also clarified that there are no plans to increase tariffs. “We want market first. There are no tariff hikes planned,” he said, reassuring existing users.
Starlink is the satellite-based internet provider. It delivers broadband connectivity via low-Earth orbit satellites, enabling Wi-Fi access for streaming, gaming, and video calls through home or portable Starlink setups.
Starlink has received a five-year authorisation from the Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to operate its Gen 1 satellite constellation in India—valid until 7 July 2030. The path is now clear for its phased rollout in the country.