Starlink is set to become the third internet service provider offering satellite internet services in India, alongside existing providers.
Elon Musk’s company, Starlink, which offers satellite internet services, is about to receive approval to begin operating in India after overcoming regulatory challenges. These services are anticipated to help people in rural and remote areas access reliable internet.
What’s new (Starlink) :
Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, is expected to receive approval from the Indian government this week. They’ve addressed regulatory concerns about their ownership structure with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will likely issue a letter of intent to Starlink soon.
The DoT is preparing a recommendation note for telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal and communications minister Ashwani Vaishnav to approve. Once they give their go-ahead, the Satellite Communications Wing of the DoT will grant approval to Musk’s company.
Starlink applied for a licence in 2022 to provide global mobile personal communication services via satellite (GMPCS). If approved, Starlink will be the third company, following Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb, to obtain this licence.
However, receiving approval from the DoT doesn’t mean Starlink can immediately start offering satellite-based broadband services in India. They also need permission from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre to set up ground stations.
Even after obtaining all these approvals, Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio’s satellite division will still need spectrum allocation from the DoT before they can begin providing their services. Amazon’s satellite project, Project Kuiper, is also in the process of seeking a GMPCS licence in India.
In 2021, Starlink faced issues with the Indian government when it began accepting pre-orders for its satellite terminals at a low fee. The government directed Starlink to refund the fees since the company did not have the necessary permissions to operate in India. As a result of these challenges, Sanjay Bhargava, who led Starlink’s operations in India, resigned.
In 2022, Starlink submitted applications to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to conduct trials involving a significant number of user terminals and gateway stations. These trials aimed to demonstrate technology capabilities, stabilize products, and foster ecosystem development. However, the government did not approve these trials.
Starlink’s Internet Speeds: What Users Can Expect
Satellite communication, known as satcom, offers internet speeds similar to 4G, reaching up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps), but not as fast as 5G, which can go up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps).
Users of Starlink typically get download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps, with many experiencing speeds over 100 Mbps. Upload speeds are usually between 5 and 20 Mbps, according to information on their website. This technology is especially helpful for people in remote areas where traditional internet options like towers or fiber optics aren’t available.
One of the main advantages of satellite communication is how quickly and easily it can be set up and used compared to traditional networks on the ground.
Starlink has highlighted that satellite broadband is particularly useful for schools and healthcare facilities. Initially, the company may focus on offering internet directly to customers, but it’s also considering the business market. Meanwhile, OneWeb is planning to concentrate more on business-to-business services.
The cost of Starlink service in India
The cost of Starlink’s service in India is not yet confirmed. However, based on information provided by the company’s former India head, the initial cost in the first year could be around Rs 1,58,000. From the second year onwards, the service is expected to cost Rs 1,15,000 annually, inclusive of a 30 percent tax, considering that Starlink’s equipment is a one-time purchase. The base price for the user equipment is anticipated to be Rs 37,400, with an additional Rs 7,425 per month for services.
Satellite communication in India is still in its early phases, but it holds significant potential, especially in rural and remote areas. According to a report by EY-ISpA, India’s space economy is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6 percent, reaching $13 billion by 2025.
Starlink operates globally
Starlink operates a constellation of over 5,000 active satellites that provide internet services with low latency. It is the world’s largest satellite constellation and the first to use low-earth orbit for delivering broadband internet. This enables support for online gaming, video calls, streaming, and other similar activities.
The Starlink satellites orbit much closer to Earth, at approximately 550 km, and cover the entire globe. Due to their low orbit, latency is significantly reduced, averaging around 25 ms compared to over 600 ms for traditional satellite systems, according to information from the company’s website.
SpaceX, the operator of Starlink, has the capability to launch satellites on demand. With frequent and cost-effective launches, Starlink ensures its satellites are regularly updated with the latest technology.
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Starlink FAQs
What is the cost of Starlink internet?
From the second year onward, the service will cost Rs 1,15,000 annually, inclusive of a 30 percent tax, as Starlink’s equipment is a one-time purchase. The base price for the user equipment is estimated at Rs 37,400, with an additional Rs 7,425 per month for services.
What is Starlink going to cost?
Starlink’s standard residential service costs $120 per month, providing unlimited data. Additional priority data packages range from $150 to $1,500. Equipment fees vary based on the plan, ranging from $599 to $2,500.
What is the cost of Starlink dish in India?
Starlink’s Standard Satellite V2 Dish Kit with Router is priced at Rs 18,000 per piece. This product is available for TV satellite dish installations in Ahmedabad, with the ID number 2852881130097.
Is Starlink available for use in India?
Synopsis. The Telecom Ministry has granted an in-principle approval to Elon Musk’s Starlink for satellite communications services in India, ahead of Musk’s visit to the country. The approval follows almost three-and-a-half years of deliberation and awaits final vetting by the Home Ministry
What is the reason behind Starlink’s absence in India?
A major concern for the government was the ownership of Starlink, and it wanted to ensure that the company had no stakeholders from countries that share a land border with India.
How does Starlink compare to fiber in terms of speed?
So which one offers you a faster and more reliable internet connection? Fiber has a much faster maximum and median speed than Starlink or any other satellite provider. Fiber has significantly less latency. Fiber offers a stable connection that is unmatched.
What are the speeds offered by Starlink in India?
Starlink Price, Plans, Speed (Expected)
With download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps (as reported by Moneycontrol) and simplified installation processes, satellite communication proves advantageous for institutions like schools and healthcare facilities.
Does Starlink offer unlimited data?
All Starlink subscription plans include unlimited high-speed data on land with no long-term contracts or commitments.
Who is the owner of Starlink?
SpaceX
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to 80 countries. It also aims to provide global mobile broadband.
Is Starlink reliable as an internet service?
Starlink has the potential to offer moderately faster speeds than Hughesnet or Viasat (not to mention other popular rural internet options) with home internet speeds ranging from 25 to 220Mbps. For comparison, Hughesnet and Viasat top out at around 100Mbps in most areas. Service also comes with truly unlimited data.
What is the speed of Starlink in Mbps?
tarlink users typically experience download speeds between 25 and 220 Mbps, with a majority of users experiencing speeds over 100 Mbps. Upload speeds are typically between 5 and 20 Mbps.
Is Starlink usable in any location?
Starlink offers high-speed internet almost anywhere across the world. Starlink connects within minutes and packs up quickly when it’s time to move to your next destination. Pause and un-pause service at any time. Billing is in one-month increments, allowing you to customize your service to your individual travel needs.
Is Starlink provided for free?
Not free, have to pay for the equipment, unless they’re in the business of going bankrupt, like most other satellite internet providers.
Is Starlink profitable?
SpaceX’s Starlink business is on track to hit $6.6 billion in revenue and post its first free cash flow positive year in 2024, Quilty Space estimates in a new report on the impact of the satellite constellation.
Is Starlink legal in India?
Elon Musk’s Starlink gains Indian government’s initial approval for satellite internet service after lengthy negotiations. Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has received an initial nod from the Indian government to provide its services in the country.