Starlink's official India website briefly displayed pricing for its residential satellite internet service this week, showing a monthly cost of Rs 8,600 and a one-time hardware fee of Rs 34,000. However, the company quickly clarified that these figures were due to a "configuration glitch" and do not represent the official launch prices for India. Starlink Vice President Lauren Dreyer stated that the India website is not yet live and the company is not currently accepting orders.^[1][2] ### Pricing Details Briefly Appeared The temporary listing on the Starlink India website detailed a residential package. It showed a monthly subscription fee of Rs 8,600. Customers would also need to pay a one-time cost of Rs 34,000 for the necessary hardware kit. This kit typically includes a satellite dish, a Wi-Fi router, cables, and mounting equipment.^[3][4][5][6] The plan described offered unlimited data usage and included a 30-day trial period. Starlink also claimed the system would provide over 99.9% uptime and operate effectively in all weather conditions. It emphasized easy installation, noting users only needed to plug in the equipment to get started.^{[3][4][7][5][8][9][10][11][6][12][13][14]} ### Regulatory Hurdles Remain Despite the brief appearance of pricing, Starlink confirmed it is still awaiting final regulatory approval for a full commercial launch in India. The company's availability map continues to show India as "pending regulatory approval." Starlink has secured some necessary permissions, including a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license and a Unified License from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) earlier this year.^{[3][7][12][13][15][14][16]} A key outstanding decision from the Indian government is how satellite spectrum will be allocated to operators, whether through auctions or administrative assignment. This decision will impact all satellite communication providers looking to enter the Indian market. Industry experts expect final approval for Starlink to arrive soon.^{[7][8][11][12][13][15][14]} ### Targeting Remote Connectivity Starlink, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved regions of India. These areas often lack reliable traditional broadband infrastructure like fiber or cable. The company's satellite constellation, with around 7,000 satellites in orbit, is designed to bridge this digital divide.^{[3][4][7][8][9][10][11][6][13]} In a significant move, the Maharashtra government partnered with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited in November 2025. This collaboration makes Maharashtra the first Indian state to formally work with Starlink. The partnership aims to bring satellite internet services to government bodies, rural communities, and critical public infrastructure in remote districts like Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv.^{[8][13][1][17]} ### Infrastructure and Competition Starlink is actively laying groundwork for its operations in India. The company is planning to establish multiple gateway earth stations in major cities. These include Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Noida. These stations are crucial for ensuring low-latency and stable internet connections between satellites and ground receivers.^{[7][11][6][14][18]} The company has also restarted its hiring process in India, posting job openings for specialists in payments, accounting, treasury, and tax at its Bengaluru office in October 2025. This indicates a ramp-up in operations as it prepares for launch.^{[19][8][13][14][18]} Once operational, Starlink will face competition from other licensed satellite communication providers in India, such as Jio-SES and Eutelsat OneWeb. These three companies are expected to reshape India's satellite communications market.^{[7][8][11][12][13][15][14][16]} ### Past Challenges and Future Outlook Starlink has faced regulatory challenges in India before. In early 2022, the Indian government directed the company to refund pre-orders placed by customers because it lacked the necessary licenses to operate. At that time, Starlink stated that the timeline for receiving licenses was unknown.^{[20][21][17][22]} While the residential plan pricing briefly appeared, Starlink has not yet disclosed details for its business subscription tier. The company is expected to outline its commercial offerings as it finalizes its rollout plans and continues discussions with Indian authorities. Starlink's entry is poised to significantly expand high-speed internet access across the country, particularly in areas where traditional internet services have struggled to reach.^{[3][4][5][8][10][6][13][14]}

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