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Starlink faces regulatory hurdles and pricing challenges in India.
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Local telecom giants Airtel and Jio offer cheaper internet plans.
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India’s rural market density makes satellite internet less compelling.
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet venture is struggling to make an impact in India due to regulatory hurdles, pricing issues, and competition from local telecom giants. Despite Musk’s optimism, Starlink’s journey in India is likely to be an uphill battle.
Starlink’s pricing is a major obstacle, with its cheapest plan starting at around $50 (Rs 4,200) per month. In contrast, Airtel Xstream Fiber plans start at Rs 499 (excluding taxes) and Reliance JioFiber starts at Rs 399 (excluding taxes). India boasts some of the cheapest internet in the world, making Starlink’s premium pricing unattractive.
Additionally, Starlink faces regulatory challenges, requiring a Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) to operate in India. The company must also navigate India’s complex telecom regulations and compete with Airtel’s existing satcom services, provided through its partnership with OneWeb.
The dynamics between India’s telecom players have shifted, with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio finding common ground on spectrum allocation. With the telecom minister’s support, the satellite internet space in India may remain challenging for newcomers like Starlink.
