Elon Musk’s Starlink to get satellite internet licence in India this month: Check speed, pricing, and other details
Sept 29, 2023: India’s satellite internet landscape is about to witness a significant shift. Elon Musk’s Starlink is gearing up to secure the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence. As per a Financial Express (FE) report, Starlink to get satellite internet licence in India this month.
This development propels Starlink alongside giants like Bharti’s OneWeb and Reliance’s Jio Satellite, making it the third entrant in the satellite-based internet arena in India.
Once Starlink obtains the GMPCS licence, it will be primed for spectrum allocation. This crucial step will enable the company to roll out its satellite broadband services to eager Indian consumers. Trusted sources revealed that SpaceX, the company that powers Starlink, has successfully adhered to all the requisite regulatory criteria. This involves presenting detailed information on satellite positions, data handling procedures, and Starlink’s roadmap for unfolding broadband services in India, as detailed in the FE report.
Though Starlink to get satellite internet licence in India but before setting its services in motion, Starlink must procure approvals from a trio of departments: the Department of Space, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and the Home Ministry. The FE report brings optimism, indicating that Starlink is poised to receive these nods by the upcoming month.
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Rewinding a bit, Starlink embarked on this journey in October of the previous year when it applied for the GMPCS licence. In addition, the company approached the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to get its clearance, a step vital for internet service aspirations in India. A few procedural slowdowns were experienced, as Starlink faced minor delays in presenting the necessary documents, as the FE report notes.
Understanding the GMPCS licence: This licence is pivotal for entities wishing to offer voice and data solutions via satellite tech in India. It comes with a 20-year validity and allows the licence holder to offer satellite communication services in specific zones. To streamline the process, the government introduced IN-SPACe, a singular entity to guide such endeavors, functioning under the Department of Space’s umbrella.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does India approve Starlink?
A: Elon Musk’s Starlink is on the verge of receiving approval to commence its services in India. There’s an anticipated final meeting scheduled this month with the telecom ministry, and given the progress, it seems probable that Starlink will soon get the green light to start offering its services in India.
Q: Is Tesla Starlink available in India?
A: As of now, while Starlink is functional in approximately 32 countries, its services haven’t been extended to users in India. There have been some technical issues which now seem to be sorted out.
Q: How much will Starlink cost in India?
A: Starlink’s subscription plans in India are varied, catering to different bandwidth needs. The starting package is priced at Rs 499 per month, giving users download speeds of up to 50 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 25 Mbps. For those seeking more bandwidth, the premium package is available at Rs 2,499 per month, boasting download speeds of up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 30 Mbps.
Q: How fast is Starlink internet?
A: Starlink promises impressive internet speeds to its users. Generally, download speeds fluctuate between 25 and 220 Mbps. Most of the user base typically enjoys speeds exceeding 100 Mbps. On the upload front, speeds range from 5 to 20 Mbps.
All this information is based on early media reports, however exact information will be available once things get going. So let’s wait till next month for Starlink to get satellite internet licence in India.
