What Starlink is, and why it is not available in India?
According to the official website of the network, Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which delivers broadband internet, which is capable of supporting online gaming, video calls, streaming, etc. It is important for SpaceX, to establish in-country satellite gateways (earth stations) and to also deploy its global satellite bandwidth capacity in India. These clarifications will come from the Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Centre (IN-SPACE)-a central regulatory body which is mandated to attract private capital in the space sector.
At the press time, ET’s queries to SpaceX remained unanswered. “Due to pending regulatory approvals, Starlink is not available in India, and coverage would continue to expand into India once this is obtained”, said the company’s website. After the suspension of internet services in Ukraine due to the war, Elon Musk was quick to step up and provide Starlink internet services in Ukraine, and also in the different parts of the country to help and to remain connected to the world. This also helped the government remain functioning.
Elon Musk to launch satellite internet services under Starlink, in India –
After OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s satellite arm, SpaceX will be the third company to apply for the key permit which is required to roll out high-speed space internet services in India, by using its global constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
SpaceX is all set to apply to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Services (GMPCS) permit to launch broadband-from-space in India under its Starlink brand. “SpaceX will shortly apply for a GMPCS license to the Indian authorities to start satellite broadband services in the country”, a person directly aware of the matter told ET. In addition to this, from the government for landing rights and market access, the company will seek statutory approval. Elon Musk owned company against the likes of Bharti Group backed OneWeb and Reliance Jio Infocomm’s satellite arm for a slice of the nascent market, which will be worth $13 billion by 2025 (expected).
How Starlink will help India, in the terms of internet connectivity –
The Indian government recently launched 5G services in the country, which has super-speed internet services set to be launched across eight major cities in the country. If Starlink is launched in India, then it can take internet connectivity one step forward in India. Almost a year ago, for SpaceX’s upcoming satellite broadband services in India, the communications ministry forced SpaceX’s Indian unit to withdraw its initiative, to seek and accept pre-orders, as it didn’t have the relevant operating license.
Read More: Elon Musk reveals Starlink’s India Launch
