Starlink, the satellite-based internet service offered by Elon Musk's SpaceX has revolutionized internet accessibility in remote and inaccessible regions worldwide. Speculation arises whether Musk will announce Starlink's entry into India during his upcoming visit later this month.
Despite previous setbacks, Starlink is poised to introduce satellite broadband services in India, a country boasting nearly 92 crore broadband subscribers according to recent data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Currently, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel lead India's broadband market, trailed by Vodafone Idea and BSNL. Starlink is on the verge of securing a license following regulatory clearance.
Last December, the Indian government passed The Telecommunications Bill 2023, facilitating spectrum allocation for satellite-based services without auction participation, a move advantageous to companies like OneWeb, Starlink, and Amazon's Kuiper.
Industry experts anticipate a substantial boost to India's digital economy, asserting that Starlink's potential arrival, coinciding with Musk's visit, could propel further growth.
Prabhu Ram, Head of the Industry Intelligence Group (IIG) at CMR, stated , “The potential arrival of Starlink, coinciding with Musk’s visit, could serve as a further catalyst for India’s thriving digital economy.”
Increased digital access would empower citizens in ‘aspirational India’, fostering a wave of entrepreneurship, enhanced access to education and healthcare, and increased participation in the digital workforce.
Starlink subscription plans boast unlimited high-speed data on land with no long-term commitments. Users can experience download speeds of up to 220 Mbps, with many exceeding 100 Mbps.
However, the cost of Starlink services in India remains undisclosed.
In the US, the basic Starlink Wi-Fi package for rural homes is priced at $120 per month, offering unlimited internet without a contract, alongside other data plans.
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