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ToggleReliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have recently forged a partnership with SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to bring the much-anticipated Starlink satellite internet services to the Indian marketplace. While this collaboration and the subsequent launch hinge on regulatory consent, Starlink’s satellite-based connectivity presents a unique opportunity to enhance the overall telecommunications infrastructure within the country. Both telecom giants regard this alliance as a pivotal step towards significantly elevating connectivity for their user bases across India.
Before diving into the particulars regarding the launch, available plans, pricing, speeds, and other details, let’s explore what Starlink is and how it could potentially benefit Indian consumers.
Starlink is an internet service launched by SpaceX that utilizes satellite technology to provide high-speed internet access, especially to underserved rural regions. The distinctive feature of Starlink lies in its deployment of a vast network of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), approximately 550 km above the ground. This innovative approach sets it apart from traditional satellite internet services that typically depend on geostationary satellites. As a result, users benefit from improved data transmission speeds along with enhanced performance for streaming, online gaming, and reduced latency.
For a deeper insight, read: Airtel partners with SpaceX to introduce Starlink internet services to India: Essential information.
In the context of India, Starlink has the potential to bridge the digital divide by offering high-speed internet access to rural communities. Additionally, it holds promise for enhancing connectivity for various sectors, including businesses, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and remote localities.
As of now, the official pricing and plan details for Starlink services in India have yet to be publicly disclosed. However, industry insights suggest that the service may be priced higher than existing fiber networks. Preliminary estimates indicate that the initial setup cost could be around ₹1.58 lakhs in the first year and could decrease to approximately ₹1.15 lakhs in subsequent years. To put this in perspective, Starlink charges $10 per month in Kenya, $120 monthly in the United States, and between ₹3,000 to ₹4,200 per month in Bhutan.
Regarding internet speed, Starlink is anticipated to offer users speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 220 Mbps in select parts of India.
The exact timeframe for Starlink’s launch in India remains uncertain at this stage, primarily due to the anticipated regulatory approvals. Nevertheless, the company is expected to unveil critical details concerning the launch timeline and operations in the weeks to come.