Elon Musk Reveals How Starlink Will Bring Superfast Internet to India’s Villages

SpaceX owner Elon Musk has revealed that his satellite-based internet service, Starlink, will soon make its entry into India, with a special focus on rural and remote areas. Speaking on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, Musk explained the technology behind Starlink and how it delivers high-speed internet, even in regions where traditional connectivity is challenging.

Bridging the Rural Connectivity Gap
Musk emphasized that while urban areas already have dense networks of mobile towers and fiber-optic cables, rural India often suffers from slow or unreliable internet due to the high cost and difficulty of laying cables. Starlink aims to complement existing telecom services, not compete with them, by providing high-speed internet to these underserved areas.

How Starlink Delivers Superfast Internet
Unlike traditional satellites positioned 36,000 kilometers above the Earth, Starlink satellites orbit at just 550 kilometers, significantly reducing latency and providing faster internet speeds. The satellites are interconnected through laser links, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even if undersea or terrestrial cables are damaged.

Reliable in Disasters
Musk noted that during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, or fires, ground-based towers and cables may fail, but Starlink’s satellites remain operational. The service can provide emergency connectivity free of charge in such situations. He cited a recent incident in the Red Sea, where several countries lost internet due to a cable cut, yet Starlink continued to function seamlessly.

Focus on Villages, Not Cities
Starlink will primarily target villages and remote areas rather than cities. Musk explained that in urban regions, where fiber networks and towers are abundant, only a small percentage of households without fiber access will use Starlink. Physics limitations prevent Starlink from competing with nearby urban towers, making rural connectivity its core mission.

Personal Connection to India
Musk also shared a personal connection with India: his partner, Shivon Zilis, is half-Indian. Their son carries the middle name “Shekhar”, in honor of the eminent Indian-American scientist and Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.

Changing Talent Dynamics
Elon Musk further noted that while the U.S. used to attract many talented Indians, stricter visa rules and uncertainty have reduced this inflow, making it harder for Indian talent to pursue the American dream.