Starlink Sets Stage for India Entry: Begins Hiring for Key Finance Roles in Bengaluru

Starlink-a satellite internet constellation project by American billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX company-started its first recruitment process in India. It can be labeled as a major signal toward the launch of satellite Internet services.

According to job postings on the company's SpaceX career portal, Starlink has invited applications for several positions in the finance and accounting departments. These include positions such as Accounting Manager, Payments Manager, Senior Treasury Analyst, and Tax Manager. The location for all positions is set to be Bengaluru, Starlink's main operational hub in India. The company has stated that it is looking for candidates who are local residents of India and hold valid work permits. No remote or hybrid work will be offered for any position.

Starlink plans to launch its satellite broadband services in India by late 2025 or early 2026. The company is currently working on India's security and regulatory approvals. Recently, Starlink demonstrated its network to security agencies in Mumbai so the government could verify its cybersecurity and lawful interception capabilities. This process is a prerequisite for spectrum allocation by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

SpaceX has already constructed three ground stations in India, which will be inspected soon. Initially, these stations will be located in Mumbai, Chennai, and Noida. The company plans to expand to 9-10 locations, including Chandigarh, Lucknow, and Kolkata. The company has also leased a 1,294-square-foot office in Mumbai's Chandivali area. According to the lease agreement, the company will pay a monthly rent of ₹3.52 lakh and a security deposit of ₹31.7 lakh has been deposited.

The one-time setup fee for Starlink services is expected to be around ₹30,000 to ₹35,000. Monthly subscription plans are expected to range from ₹3,000 to ₹4,200. Prices will depend on user location and usage. These rates clearly indicate that Starlink's services will fall into the premium internet segment, targeting users seeking high speeds and low-latency internet.

Satellite internet race has heated up in India. Starlink will have some serious competition coming from the house of Eutelsat, OneWeb and Jio Satellite. All these companies are at an advanced stage of regulatory approvals and are only waiting for spectrum allocation. Amazon, on the other side, is on a hiring spree in India for its Project Kuiper. It is looking to hire people for roles like Telecom Business Development Head, GTM Lead, and Program Manager.

With the rapidly growing activities of both Starlink and Amazon, the satellite broadband industry in India has now entered the implementation phase. This will not only increase high-speed internet access in the country but will also provide a new impetus to digital connectivity in rural and remote areas. Elon Musk's Starlink is preparing for its launch in India. Starting operations from Bengaluru, the company plans to provide high-speed satellite internet service in India by next year, which could prove to be a major digital leap for rural India.