Reports says , Elon Musk’s Starlink planning to launch with plans below Rs. 850 per month in India

Starlink is reportedly preparing to roll out its satellite-based internet services in India, having cleared most of the regulatory challenges. As the launch date appears to be drawing near, new reports indicate that its internet plans could start at a monthly price as low as $10, which is approximately ₹850. These affordable pricing options, likely introduced through promotional campaigns, may include unlimited data offerings. With this strategy, the company backed by Elon Musk aims to build a user base of up to 10 million customers, helping to balance out the high spectrum-related expenses through economies of scale.

Earlier in the month, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a Letter of Intent to Starlink, granting it the green light to begin its satellite internet operations in the country. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is recommending an extra monthly price of ₹500 per urban user, according to an Economic Times report. This might make satellite-based internet more expensive than traditional broadband options, whether wired or wireless.

Alongside this, providers will reportedly be required to pay 4 percent of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) annually, a minimum spectrum fee of ₹3,500 per block, and an 8 percent licensing charge to offer their services commercially in India. However, these recommendations are still pending final government approval. Despite these financial obligations, Starlink and other satellite communication providers are expected to enter the market at competitive rates. The idea is to distribute upfront investment and fixed operational costs across a broader user base, thereby offering more affordable plans to consumers.

Starlink, a product of SpaceX founded by Elon Musk, delivers internet via satellites orbiting 550 kilometers above Earth using its extensive low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. The service is intended to offer dependable, fast, and latency-free internet in distant and underserved areas. In the United States, Starlink charges $80 (around ₹6,800) per month for its Residential Lite plan, which includes unlimited access with some prioritization limitations. Customers must also pay $349 (about ₹29,700) for a regular kit. For more mobile users, Starlink offers Roam plans beginning at $50 (roughly ₹4,200) for 50GB of data, which require an additional $299 (about ₹25,400) for a compact Starlink Mini Kit.