Elon Musk is once again making headlines with his ambitions in India. In 2021, Musk attempted to introduce his Starlink company to one of the world’s largest markets by accepting pre-orders for his satellite internet service. This move, however, caught the attention of Indian regulators, who quickly ordered Starlink to cease operations and refund customer deposits.
After several years of regulatory challenges, Starlink is finally edging toward a launch in India. Recently, the Indian telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have partnered with the SpaceX-owned company, marking a significant shift in attitudes. Initially, both companies viewed Starlink as a formidable competitor due to its direct-to-consumer model.
However, with India’s increasing digital ambitions, they now see Starlink’s service as a valuable complement to their offerings. This transition became apparent in late 2024 when the Indian government opted for administrative spectrum allocation, which simplified the entry process for new services like Starlink. These collaborations allow Starlink to cooperate with local telecoms rather than compete against them.
While Jio and Airtel are associated with OneWeb and SES, which primarily cater to enterprise clientele, Starlink aims to serve households and underserved regions directly. Despite the promise of partnerships, Starlink faces obstacles. Its monthly subscription fee is approximately $50, a significant disparity compared to local competitors like Jio’s AirFiber, starting at $10.
This, combined with installation costs, may hinder early adoption. Moreover, regulatory issues, including stringent data localization laws and scrutiny over foreign technology, remain on the horizon. Musk’s broader ventures in India, such as Tesla and X, also encounter regulatory and political challenges.
As Starlink prepares to enter this complex market, its success will depend on strategic alliances and Musk’s ability to adeptly navigate India’s evolving political landscape.