Starlink to Begin Internet Trials in India, Holds Talks with Jio, Airtel, and Tata Communications

Report by: Syed Taskin Ahmed

Elon Musk’s satellite broadband company, Starlink, is preparing to begin trials in India, marking a major step toward expanding satellite-based internet services in one of the world’s largest digital markets. According to reports, the company is in advanced discussions with Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Tata Communications, and several data center operators to finalize partnerships for infrastructure and service rollout.

The focus of these talks is primarily on ground infrastructure, licensing clarity, and partnership models. While Starlink could provide services directly, bundling with existing telecom players is also being explored to ensure seamless distribution and regulatory compliance.

Starlink’s entry could prove transformative for India’s rural and remote regions, where over 500 million people still lack reliable internet access. Traditional fiber networks and 5G rollout have struggled to reach challenging terrains such as the North-East, Ladakh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In such areas, Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites can deliver high-speed broadband without the need for extensive physical infrastructure.

Globally, Starlink has demonstrated speeds of 100–250 Mbps with latency as low as 20–40 milliseconds, making it suitable for video streaming, online education, remote work, and even defense operations. However, affordability remains a challenge: the current hardware kit costs around $599 (₹50,000) with a monthly subscription of $120 (₹10,000). To succeed in India, Starlink may need to offer localized pricing.

Competition is also heating up. Airtel-backed OneWeb is already working on satellite broadband services, while Jio and Amazon’s Project Kuiper are also eyeing the sector. Additionally, Starlink must overcome regulatory hurdles, as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) previously halted its pre-booking plans in 2021.

If approvals are granted, Starlink could begin pilot trials in late 2025, initially targeting rural, hilly, and disaster-prone regions. Its success will depend on government clearance, partnerships, and affordable pricing strategies, but the move signals a potentially disruptive shift in India’s digital connectivity landscape.