Starlink, the satellite Internet service provider founded by Elon Musk, is on the verge of securing a license to commence operations in India, overcoming regulatory obstacles in the process. The anticipated approval from the Indian government is contingent upon Starlink clarifying its shareholding structure to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. Following this clarification, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expected to issue a letter of intent to Starlink.
Upon receiving the necessary clearances, Starlink is poised to become the third entity, alongside Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb, to obtain a global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) license, as per its application submitted in 2022. However, the granted DoT nod will not immediately enable the initiation of satellite-based broadband services. Additional approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre is required for the establishment of earth stations.
While Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio's satellite division await spectrum allocation from the DoT to kickstart their services, Amazon's Project Kuiper is also seeking a GMPCS license in India.
Previous challenges faced by Starlink in India include a 2021 incident where the government raised concerns over the company accepting pre-orders for its terminals without proper permissions, leading to the refund of collected fees and the resignation of Sanjay Bhargava, head of Starlink's India operations.
Starlink Price, Plans, Speed (Expected)
As reported by Moneycontrol, Starlink has proposed satellite communication services in India, emphasising benefits for users in remote areas lacking traditional internet infrastructure. 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.
The cost of Starlink's service in India remains undisclosed, though estimates suggest a first-year cost of approximately Rs 1,58,000, followed by Rs 1,15,000 from the second year, including a 30 per cent tax. This projection considers the one-time purchase of Starlink's equipment and a monthly service fee.
Satellite communication in India is in its early stages but holds substantial potential, particularly in rural and remote regions, with India's space economy expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6 per cent to $13 billion by 2025, according to EY-ISpA.
Globally, Starlink stands out as the largest satellite constellation employing low-earth orbit, with over 5,000 active satellites enabling low-latency internet services for activities such as online gaming, video calls, and streaming. Positioned at approximately 550 km from Earth, Starlink's satellites boast significantly lower latency, around 25 ms compared to traditional geostationary satellites with over 600 ms latency. SpaceX, Starlink's parent company, maintains its satellite constellation through frequent, cost-effective launches, ensuring the continuous update of satellite technology.