Highlights
- Elon Musk has committed to bringing Starlink Internet to India.
- His comments came after the Indian government decided to allocate spectrum for satellite broadband administratively.
- Starlink offers fast and reliable internet using satellites.
Starlink Internet Coming to India
Elon Musk the owner of Starlink has recently expressed his commitment to “serve the people of India” through a post on X (previously Twitter).
Musk posted on X that Starlink “will do its best to serve the people of India” in response to user @DogeDesigner posting a news story reporting that India’s government will allot spectrum for satellite broadband administratively and not via auction.
This statement comes after the Indian government’s decision to allocate spectrum for satellite broadband administratively.
The auction route was advocated by Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also announced this week that the allocation of spectrum for satellite services would be done administratively, with the cost determined by the telecom regulator.
“Satellite spectrum across the world is allocated administratively. India is not doing anything different from the rest of the world,” Scindia said.
He further added, “If you do decide on auctioning, then you will be doing something that is different from the rest of the world.”
This announcement along with Musk’s comments to provide Internet services in India through Starlink now sets the stage for an intense competition between Starlink and Indian telecom companies such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
After a very public back and forth, Elon Musk’s Starlink has come closer to the win in the fight for India’s satellite broadband space. The Indian government clarified that the spectrum will be allocated and not auctioned as was advocated by Indian billionaires Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Mittal for a while.
“Those satellite companies who have ambitions to come into urban areas, serving elite retail customers just need to take the telecom licences like everybody else, be bound to the same conditions,” Mittal said at an Industry event in New Delhi this week.
In a statement following Mittal’s remarks, Airtel said, “Satellite operators who want to provide services to urban areas and retail customers indeed need to go through the regular licensing process of any country, and in this case, India, to obtain a license; buy the spectrum; undertake all the obligations, including rollout and security; pay their license fees and taxes and they would be welcomed by the telecom fraternity.”
Starlink – All You Need to Know About Elon Musk’s Satellite Internet Service
Living in a remote area with unreliable internet can be a nightmare. This is where Starlink created by Elon Musk’s SpaceX is a game changer.
Starlink provides fast and reliable internet to even the most isolated places on Earth using a network of satellites.
Here’s everything you need to know about the service –
- Starlink’s Internet Service: Uses satellites in low Earth orbit to provide fast, reliable internet even in remote areas.
- How It Works: Unlike traditional internet that relies on cables, Starlink beams data from space without the need for any ground infrastructure.
- Easy Setup: Users need a Starlink kit (satellite dish, Wi-Fi router), which can be self-installed without professional help.
- Speeds and Data: Offers internet speeds between 25 Mbps and 220 Mbps with unlimited data on most plans.
- Global Reach: Starlink is available in countries like the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France and Australia. It’s expanding to places like Spain, Italy and Mexico, and has a presence in Latin America, with Chile among the first to benefit. Countries like Norway, Sweden, Belgium and Brazil have also joined the growing list of Starlink users.
- Potential for India: Starlink could provide reliable internet to rural and remote areas in India where traditional broadband is unavailable or unreliable.
- No Data Caps: Most residential plans offer unlimited data with no caps, unlike many satellite services that throttle speeds after reaching a data limit.
- Self-Installation: No professional installation is required; users set up the dish and router themselves.
- Cost: Equipment and monthly fees may be higher than local providers but offer value in areas without alternative internet options. The cheapest Starlink monthly plan starts at around $50 (Approx INR 4,200)
- Flexibility: Starlink offers no long-term contracts giving users the flexibility to opt in and out.
- Digital Divide: If introduced in India, Starlink could help bridge the connectivity gap in rural regions.
FAQ
Q1. What is Starlink’s internet service and how does it work?
Answer. Starlink provides fast, reliable internet using satellites in low Earth orbit, beaming data from space and bypassing the need for ground infrastructure.
Q2. What are the expected internet speeds and data plans offered by Starlink?
Answer. Starlink offers internet speeds between 25 Mbps and 220 Mbps with unlimited data on most plans.
Q3. In which countries is Starlink available and expanding?
Answer. Starlink is available in countries like the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, and Australia. It’s expanding to places like Spain, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Belgium and Brazil and has a presence in Latin America.
Q4. What is the setup process for Starlink, and does it require professional installation?
Answer. Users need a Starlink kit (satellite dish and Wi-Fi router), which can be self-installed without professional help.
Q5. How could Starlink impact internet access in India?
Answer. Starlink could provide reliable internet to rural and remote areas in India where traditional broadband is unavailable or unreliable, helping bridge the digital divide.
Also Read : Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Pushes for Auction of Satellite Spectrum Amid Competition with Elon Musk’s Starlink
Also Read : Elon Musk Starlink: Direct-to-Cell Communication