Starlink Not A Competitor In India, Too Costly: Mos Communications Pemmasani

In an exclusive question and reply pinch India Today, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, MoS for Communications, clarified that Starlink is not a competitor to India’s existing telecom networks but alternatively a complementary solution for distant areas. He pointed retired that Starlink’s constricted outer spectrum results successful slower speeds and importantly higher costs—₹33,000 for setup and ₹3,000 per month—making it unaffordable for astir agrarian users. In contrast, BSNL offers broadband astatine conscionable ₹400. Pemmasani emphasized that BharatNet already connects astir each Gram Panchayats pinch fibre optics, and Starlink whitethorn only capable gaps wherever accepted networks can’t reach.