India Approves Starlink’s Entry: High-Speed Satellite Internet Coming Soon to Hard-to-Reach Regions
Starlink has received initial approval to launch satellite internet in India, promising rural connectivity despite high costs and pending regulatory clearances.
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Elon Musk's satellite internet firm, Starlink, has secured a significant approval to operate in India.The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted Starlink a Letter of Intent (LoI), allowing it to begin operations in the country.This permission follows months of review and Starlink's acceptance of 29 national security conditions, which include real-time terminal tracking, local data processing, and legal interception.
Starlink, managed by SpaceX, relies on a network of approximately 7,000 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, with plans to expand to more than 40,000. These satellites orbit far closer to Earth than regular satellites, resulting in higher speeds and reduced latency—ideal for HD video streaming, online gaming, video chats, and other applications, even in remote locations.
Unlike competitors such as OneWeb and Jio-SES, who can only provide fixed satellite services, Starlink is intended to deliver mobile satellite internet under the GMPCS licence.This means that users can connect to the internet while on the fly, which could be useful in emergencies or isolated travel zones.
Pricing estimates range from ₹3,000-₹7,000 for a monthly subscription and ₹20,000-₹35,000 for a one-time equipment purchase. While this is far more expensive than traditional broadband (which averages ₹500/month), it's probably intended at corporations, institutions, and rural individuals who lack internet connection.
Experts believe that with support from the government, Starlink might alter digital connection in rural India, benefiting areas such as education, healthcare, and disaster response. However, there are still questions about pricing and reach, with Telecom Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani describing Starlink as a "small player" in comparison to existing networks.
Starlink is still awaiting final clearance from IN-SPACe as well as government spectrum allocation. Elon Musk is likely to visit India later this year to conclude deals and explore more investment opportunities.
This article is based on information from Business Today
