Elon Musk’s Starlink, the wireless internet service provider is operated by Starlink Service LLC owned by business tycoon Elon Musk. It has been widely reported that the negotiation between Musk & Indian Government is likely to reach a conclusion. If Starlink receives approval from the central government, competitors like Reliance Jio and Bharati Airtel will be waiting on the other side to respond. Will Starlink be able to match the price rate of Reliance Jio and Airtel? The question is obvious. Will Starlink be able to match the price rates of Reliance Jio and Airtel? The question is obvious. Currently, the broadband and WiFi internet rates in India are the world’s lowest. Let’s see how the world’s richest person with a net worth of $300 Billion will compete with Jio and Airtel to capture the most populous market. In this blog post, we will discuss on Starlink and the hurdle which Musk will have to cross to set up Starlink in India. In this blog post, we will discuss Starlink and the hurdle that Musk will have to cross to set up Starlink in India.
What is Starlink?
Elon Musk’s Space X is the sole owner of the global telecommunications company Starlink, which is a satellite internet constellation. More than 100 nations worldwide already have internet access thanks to it. Space X began launching Starlink satellites in 2019. More than 7000 mass-produced small satellites in Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) contribute to the constellation as of 2024. The designated ground transceiver communicates with the LEO satellites. Musk intends to launch over 12,000 satellites, with the number eventually increasing to 34,400. Starlink is developed, manufactured, and orbit-controlled at SpaceX’s satellite development center in Redmond, Washington.
The Terms and Conditions Obstructing Approval from the Indian Government
According to reports, the primary hurdles for Starlink to obtain a green flag in India are data localization and security demand. However, as per Moneycontrol, Starlink has reached an in-principal agreement to meet the security conditions of the Indian regulatory body. According to the security regulations of the Indian government, satellite communication companies that operate in India must store all of their data within India. This prerequisite must be accepted for the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to provide a license.
Satellite communication companies must obtain a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) license from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to operate in India. IN-SPACe is the regulatory body oversing space activities in the country. According to Moneycontrol, the application from Starlink to IN-SPACe has progressed, with additional details has been requested for final approval. In an interview with Moneycontrol, IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka has confirmed that they are seeking clarification from both Starlink and Amazon Kupier, another satellite internet constellation. He also stated that “what we are working on and are in the pipeline. We have raised some queries, and they are being answered.”
The government’s upcoming regulations regarding spectrum pricing and distribution will have a significant impact on the operationalization process of Starlink in India. By the end of December, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is anticipated to make its recommendations. To prevent foreign companies from taking market share from local players, major telecom operators like Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea have urged the government to guarantee fair competition and support spectrum auctions in densely populated cities.
Conclusion- The Clash of the Titans
The fight between India’s telecom giants and Starlink is set to be intriguing, especially if Starlink manages to obtain a green flag from the Indian Government. Jio has already revolutionized the Indian telecom industry since its launch in 2016. The price of internet data significantly dropped on the entry of Jio in the Indian market. It is expected that the price war to appease internet users may cut the price further new minimum. No matter what, it is going to be beneficial to consumers. Let’s see what Starlink & Amazon Kupier brings to the table if they succeed in obtaining the license to operate in India.
Call to Action
What are your thoughts on the arrival of satellite internet constellations like Starlink & Amazon Kupier? Will this be beneficial to India or pose a potential security threat to India’s data security? Comment your answer in the comment box below or mail us by clicking on the mail icon at the top of the page. Thank you for visiting TechGiraffe. Keep visiting to read interesting blogs on gadgets, technology & science. Bye-bye till the next blog.