New Delhi: SpaceX's Starlink is coming to change the internet world in India. Both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have tied up with SpaceX. Under this, Starlink's high-speed satellite internet service will be available across the country. But, before the service starts, SpaceX will have to get the necessary approvals. This news is special for India. The reason is that there is a big problem of internet connectivity here. There is fiber broadband in cities. But, internet is not available in villages and remote areas. Starlink's satellite technology is the solution to this problem. It will provide internet directly from space, there will be no need for ground infrastructure. It is expected that crores of people will be able to connect to the internet.
Both Jio and Airtel will promote Starlink with their own different strategies. Airtel will connect it with its existing services. While Jio will include it in its broadband system. However, Starlink will have to face strict regulations of India. Also, its price is also more than the budget of the common man. Therefore, SpaceX may have to fix different prices for India. It remains to be seen what changes Starlink brings to India's telecom sector.
Starlink's arrival in India was awaited for a long time. Internet access in India is still limited, especially in rural areas. Starlink's satellite technology can help bridge this gap. It will provide internet directly from space. This will eliminate the need for ground cables and towers. SpaceX founder Elon Musk plans to upgrade the network every five years. This technology can prove to be a boon for those who have been deprived of the internet till now.
What will be the price and speed of Starlink plan in India?
At present, it is not decided yet. But one can definitely guess from the example of Bhutan. According to a Business Today report, Starlink has two plans in Bhutan: Residential Lite Plan, which costs around Rs 3,001 per month and the speed ranges from 23 Mbps to 100 Mbps. This plan is suitable for general browsing, social media and video streaming. The second is the Standard Residential Plan, which costs around Rs 4,201 per month. It has a speed of 25 Mbps to 110 Mbps. This plan is for gaming, HD streaming and video conferencing. Starlink prices in India may be slightly higher than Bhutan. Around Rs 3,500-4,500 per month. The reason for this is 30% higher tax on foreign digital services.
How will the reach increase?
Starlink is a network of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. It provides high-speed internet with low latency. This service is already available in many countries, especially in places where general broadband does not reach. In India, only about 47% of the people have internet. That means, more than 70 crore people are deprived of internet. Starlink can provide speeds up to 220 Mbps, which can be a good option for remote areas.
No need for cables and mobile towers
Starlink does not depend on ground cables or mobile towers. It provides internet through LEO satellites. As of January 2024, SpaceX has launched about 7,000 Starlink satellites. The user needs a Starlink dish and a router, which connect to the satellites. The dish automatically connects to the nearest satellite. Starlink is usually installed in one place, but with some special equipment it can also be used in moving vehicles, boats and airplanes.
What is the plan of Airtel and Jio?
Airtel wants to bring internet to rural areas by connecting Starlink with its existing services. At the same time, Jio will include Starlink in its broadband system and sell it through its retail and online channels. Reliance Jio Group CEO Mathew Oman said, 'Every Indian, wherever he lives, should get cheap and high-speed broadband, this is Jio's priority. Our collaboration with SpaceX will help bring Starlink to India and ensure broadband connectivity for all.'
India's strict rules are a big challenge
India's strict rules are a big challenge for Starlink. The company will have to get several approvals like spectrum allocation, data storage, security approvals and landing rights. Earlier also Starlink had to face difficulties when it started pre-booking without a license. Starlink's hardware costs Rs 25,000-35,000 and the monthly fee is Rs 5,000-7,000, which is much higher than India's average broadband fee of Rs 400-600. Therefore, SpaceX may have to set different prices for India.
The arrival of Starlink can bring a big change in India's telecom sector. Jio and Airtel, which are already in the market, will now have to face new competition. The presence of Starlink may force other companies to improve their services and prices. Starlink can also make a big contribution in areas like education, health, agriculture and disaster management. Remote villages, mountains
Internet can also reach remote areas and islands, which can improve telemedicine, online education and emergency services. Now it remains to be seen how SpaceX, Jio and Airtel together shape India's digital future.
