Starlink Eyes India’s Internet Sector, Challenges Mukesh Ambani’s Jio with New Satellite Broadband Strategy
Elon Musk’s Starlink is positioning itself to enter India’s internet and telecom landscape, potentially reshaping the market in competition with Mukesh Ambani’s Jio, Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Airtel, and BSNL. Starlink, which delivers internet services through a network of satellites orbiting near Earth, is now in the process of acquiring the necessary security approvals to launch satellite-based broadband services in India.
India is a key focus for Musk, as it represents one of the largest and most active internet markets in the world. However, Starlink’s pricing strategy remains uncertain, especially as the country is known for having some of the world’s lowest internet prices. If approved, Musk’s entry could bring ultra-high-speed connectivity options to Indian consumers, introducing new competition for established giants like Jio and Airtel.
Last month, Starlink gained momentum in its India plans when New Delhi announced that satellite broadband would be allocated without a spectrum auction, aligning with Musk’s preferred administrative licensing. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that Starlink’s compliance with data security, local storage, and signal encryption standards is essential for approval. “When you meet all criteria, the licence will be granted,” Mr. Scindia noted.
Currently, Reliance Jio holds a commanding lead with over 14 million wired subscribers and nearly 500 million mobile internet users, while Airtel services close to 300 million broadband users. Yet, Indian telecom giants are wary of Starlink’s potential to attract customers with its advanced satellite offerings. Reports also indicate that Jio has approvals to launch satellite services but hasn’t proceeded yet.
Reliance Jio’s initial market approach involved offering free broadband, enabling it to capture a significant customer base. Musk has used a similar approach in African markets, pricing Starlink services as low as $10 (around Rs 800) per month, contrasting sharply with the $120 (about Rs 10,000) per month Starlink charges in the U.S.
