Internet connectivity challenges in India's remote areas are poised to become a thing of the past. Elon Musk's Starlink, the much-discussed satellite internet service from the Tesla CEO, is preparing for launch in India. This service is expected to bring a wave of high-speed internet across the country, especially to rural and underserved regions.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a project by Elon Musk's SpaceX that provides internet service via thousands of low-orbit satellites. Unlike traditional broadband, it doesn't rely on fiber or mobile towers; instead, it delivers internet signals directly from space to homes.
Why is Starlink crucial for India?
Many remote areas in India lack adequate or any internet access. Naxal-affected regions, mountainous areas, deserts, and Northeast India face significant digital access challenges. Starlink could revolutionize these areas where establishing fiber or towers is expensive and difficult for telecom companies.
What could the price be?
Reports suggest Starlink might offer an unlimited data plan in India for approximately $10, or around ₹840 per month. This is considered highly competitive compared to other broadband providers. However, the company has yet to make an official announcement regarding pricing.
Experts believe that to succeed in a large and sensitive market like India, Starlink needs to offer low prices and superior service to attract users in rural and remote areas and build a b customer base.
But the hardware cost might be surprising
While Starlink's internet plans might be affordable, the cost of the required Starlink kit could surprise Indian customers. This kit includes a dish antenna, router, and other equipment.
Globally, this kit costs between ₹21,000 and ₹32,000. In India, where people often subscribe to broadband plans offering speeds up to 100 Mbps for ₹400-600, the high cost of this kit could be a barrier for many.
Advantages of satellite internet:
Reach: Laying fiber, towers, or cables is expensive and time-consuming. Satellite services like Starlink overcome this, reaching every corner of the country.
Speed and Stability: Starlink claims to offer download speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 250 Mbps – consistently.
Emergency Use: During floods, earthquakes, or other disasters when telecom towers fail, satellite internet can be a lifeline.
Other players competing with Starlink
Several players are already active in the Indian satellite internet market before Starlink's entry:
OneWeb: Backed by the Bharti Group and the UK government, this company is also preparing to offer satellite connectivity.
Reliance Jio & SES: Reliance Jio has partnered with Luxembourg's SES to launch high-speed satellite broadband service in India.
Tata-backed Nelco and Globalstar: These companies are also in trial mode with satellite spectrum.
Government's role:
Companies need various government approvals before launching satellite internet services in India. This includes licenses, equipment import permits, and spectrum allocation. Starlink has already received the GMPCS license from the Indian government but awaits further clearances.
The government aims to provide internet access to every village by 2025. Satellite services like Starlink can accelerate this, particularly in previously unconnected areas. Collaboration between the government and Starlink could significantly contribute to India's digital development.
