New Delhi [India]: Starlink’s satellite broadband services are unlikely to pose a significant threat to Indian telecom giants Jio and Bharti Airtel due to better pricing, higher speeds, and unlimited data offered by local providers, according to a report by JM Financial.
Instead, Starlink’s services are expected to complement existing networks by enhancing high-speed internet access in remote and rural areas.
Globally, satellite internet plans from providers like Starlink typically range between USD 10 to USD 500 per month, with additional one-time hardware costs of USD 250 to USD 380. In contrast, Indian telecom companies offer home broadband plans starting at just USD 5 to USD 7 per month, with premium plans offering 1 Gbps speeds and streaming services for approximately USD 47 per month. Additionally, Starlink’s plans include data caps, while Jio and Bharti provide unlimited data.
Given India’s price-sensitive market, Starlink’s higher costs and limited speeds make it less competitive in urban areas. This reinforces its role as a solution for underserved rural regions rather than a direct competitor to Jio and Bharti’s Fiber and AirFiber services.
While current agreements focus on distribution, there’s potential for future collaboration between Jio, Bharti, and Starlink in direct-to-cell satellite services. Globally, Starlink has partnered with telecom companies like T-Mobile (US), Rogers (Canada), Optus (Australia), and KDDI (Japan) to provide satellite connectivity.
Despite this, industry experts believe direct-to-cell satellite broadband is unlikely to disrupt India’s wireless market due to several challenges. These include technical difficulties in maintaining reliable smartphone connectivity, dependence on telecom providers for 4G/LTE spectrum access, and slower performance compared to fiber or traditional wireless services.
Although selling Starlink’s equipment may generate some revenue for Jio and Bharti, it’s not expected to significantly impact their overall earnings. Both companies already have their own satellite broadband ventures—Bharti with Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio with SES (Orbit Connect India)—which are further along in securing regulatory approvals in India.
Starlink’s extensive satellite network, boasting over 6,400 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, gives it a capacity advantage. However, this scale positions Starlink more as a partner for expanding connectivity in hard-to-reach areas rather than a direct competitor.
Jio and Bharti have announced agreements with SpaceX to distribute Starlink’s broadband services in India. Under these agreements, the telecom firms will sell Starlink’s equipment through their retail outlets. Jio will additionally provide installation and activation support, targeting businesses, schools, and healthcare centers in rural areas.
However, these agreements remain subject to regulatory approval, as SpaceX is yet to receive authorization to sell Starlink services in India.