Starlink's India launch has been at the "coming soon" stage for years. In early 2026, Starlink faced fresh delays over foreign investment and national security concerns. However, things now seem to be going forward in the brand's favour. At the ongoing India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, Starlink revealed that its ground setup in India is already in place.
Starlink Has 20 Gateway Sites in India Ready
As reported by TelecomTalk, Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Business Operations at Starlink, spoke at IMC 2026, confirming that the company has already built more than 20 gateway sites in India. Starlink has also installed hundreds of antennas.
For those unaware, gateway sites are ground stations that connect Starlink's satellites to the internet. So, the satellite signal that reaches the dish first travels through one of these stations. Having them in India is a key step before Starlink can start offering its service here.
Dreyer also said that Starlink has spent nearly five years working with Indian regulators, telecom operators and industry to adapt its service for India. One of the government's biggest concerns about Starlink has been security and data. Starlink now says it has addressed this.
According to Dreyer, Starlink has built India-specific security controls and will keep Indian users' data within India. This is important, as the government wants satellite internet providers to follow strict data and security rules before they go live.
Moreover, Starlink has also made it clear that it is not trying to compete directly with Indian telecom operators. As Dreyer put it, "Starlink isn't here to replace India's terrestrial networks. It's here to extend them."
Starlink's main focus in India is last-mile connectivity, which means bringing internet to remote areas like villages, hills and other locations where laying fibre or building towers is difficult. Starlink has already signed partnership agreements with both Airtel and Jio and the brand is in talks with state governments too.
Dreyer added that Starlink wants to help achieve the Prime Minister's vision of 100% connectivity across India. In September 2026, India's Digital Communications Commission approved the rules for satellite spectrum. Satellite operators will pay 5% of their revenue as a spectrum charge, or 4% if they focus on rural areas.
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How Much Will Starlink Cost in India?
Starlink has not announced official pricing for India yet. However, earlier reports suggested that its monthly plans could cost around Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500. The Starlink kit, which includes the dish and router, is expected to cost around Rs 33,000.
For reference, Starlink briefly showed a price of Rs 8,600 per month on its Indian website last December, but removed it within hours, calling it a technical glitch. So, we'll have to wait for the official launch to know the final price.
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