Starlink no competition to terrestrial networks in India, says MoS Communications Dr Chandrashekhar Pemmasani

In a recent discussion, India's Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmasani, emphasized that Elon Musk's satellite internet service, Starlink, is more suited as a supplementary option rather than a direct competitor to the country's existing rural broadband services. Dr. Pemmasani explained that while Starlink could potentially address connectivity challenges in remote areas, its prohibitive costs and limited speeds make it an impractical choice for most rural users. "Starlink is fundamentally different from terrestrial networks. It operates with a restricted spectrum and a limited number of satellites, resulting in lower speeds compared to current providers," he stated. The minister highlighted that the service would primarily benefit regions where fibre optic infrastructure has not yet been established. He noted, "Due to its limited availability, Starlink is quite expensive. Many people in rural areas may find it unaffordable. Its main advantage is providing continuous service in remote locations and serving as a reliable backup." Dr. Pemmasani also pointed to India’s ambitious BharatNet initiative, which is expanding fibre optic connectivity to nearly all Gram Panchayats, with only 40,000 remaining to be connected in the third phase of the program. He reaffirmed that the existing network in India is capable of covering most rural areas effectively. "In practice, our current network will serve the vast majority of rural regions. Where it can't reach, Starlink could play a supportive role," he added. Addressing concerns about Starlink posing a threat to the telecom sector, Dr. Pemmasani was clear: "I do not foresee any competition from Starlink, as our terrestrial networks offer significantly higher speeds and much lower costs. For example, BSNL charges ₹400, while Starlink's setup costs ₹33,000, along with a ₹3,000 monthly fee. This makes Starlink ten times more expensive than our existing services, limiting its competitive edge." On a global scale, he noted that Starlink remains a niche service, with only 6 million connections worldwide. "It cannot be considered competition; rather, it serves as a complement to existing services," he concluded. As the Indian government intensifies efforts to connect unserved villages through BharatNet and enhance digital inclusion, these insights underline India’s commitment to prioritizing fibre-optic solutions over satellite-based alternatives.