Starlink pricing hints emerge: will India match Bhutan’s Rs 3,000 plan?

Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, has secured a license from India’s Department of Telecommunications and is set to launch operations within the next 12 months, offering bandwidth speeds between 600 to 700 Gbps.

While the exact pricing for India remains unannounced, speculation is rife about whether India will follow Bhutan’s affordable pricing model, where the Residential Lite Plan costs approximately Rs 3,000 and the Standard Plan Rs 4,200.

Former Starlink India Country Director Sanjay Bhargava had earlier indicated a much higher price point of Rs 1.58 lakh per connection for the first year, highlighting a potential pricing challenge in India’s market, known for some of the world’s cheapest data rates.

Currently, Starlink operates in over 100 countries with various residential and roaming plans, but India’s competitive telecom landscape may influence its pricing strategy.

“Starlink has received a license from India's Department of Telecommunications for operations. It is the third company to gain approval for satellite internet services in India,” according to official sources.

The launch is anticipated to enhance internet accessibility in remote and underserved regions, leveraging low-Earth-orbit satellite technology to deliver high-speed connectivity.

As India awaits official pricing details, the comparison with Bhutan’s Rs 3,000 plan sets a benchmark for affordability expectations in the region.

Starlink, licensed by India's Department of Telecommunications, plans to launch satellite internet within 12 months offering 600-700 Gbps bandwidth. Pricing remains unconfirmed, but speculation arises if India will match Bhutan’s affordable Rs 3,000 Residential Lite Plan amid India’s low data costs.