Starlink is gearing up for its launch in India, and while many are eager to see how the satellite internet works and what it will cost, the bigger question is—what lies beyond the hype?
The Starlink India launch has been in the spotlight for months, with reports suggesting regulatory approvals are nearly complete. Elon Musk’s satellite internet service is already available in several countries, and the excitement around its entry into India has been noticeable. People are curious to experience internet connectivity powered by satellites orbiting far above the Earth.
However, beyond the buzz, there are important considerations. With 5G and fibre broadband already driving internet penetration in the country, the real question is: where does Starlink fit in, and who stands to benefit most from its arrival?
To understand this, we spoke with Affandy Johan, Telecom Industry Analyst at Ookla, about the potential of satellite internet in India and the expected costs for users.
Aadeetya Sriram (AS): With Starlink nearing its India launch, what should people realistically expect?
Affandy Johan (AJ): Satellite internet should not be compared directly with urban networks, because those areas already have access to fibre and reliable mobile data. The real impact of Starlink is in rural and remote communities that currently lack these options. Many villages still struggle with slow, unstable connections, or people are forced to travel to nearby towns just to get online.
For them, Starlink can deliver 30–50 Mbps with consistent uptime—a massive improvement over having no reliable internet at all. Of course, cost remains a barrier, but even so, it provides a transformative opportunity for communities that have long been left behind.
