- Starlink plans to subsidize its rates in India
- According to Starlink, more than 5,000 pre-orders have been received from India.
- A deposit of $ 99 (about Rs 7,350) from the company will be required.
- Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio may have a tough time competing with Starlink.
The Starlink India Director said that customers would be unable to afford the services if the costs were passed on to them. Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has a satellite internet unit called Starlink, plans to subsidize its rates in India. Unlike the international market, the company plans to offer its services at a lower price in India.
On LinkedIn, India’s Starlink Country Director Sanjay Bhargava reports that 80 percent of SpaceX terminals will be sent to rural Lok Sabha constituencies. Additionally, he indicated that he would meet with legislators, ministers, and bureaucrats to “see if they think 100 percent broadband would help improve lives.”
Among the traditional Internet service providers in India, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio may have a tough time competing with Starlink. The launch may also affect the large part of rural India that is served by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
There have been decent responses in India to Starlink’s pre-bookings with deposits for its internet services. Company representatives are exploring opportunities to collaborate with telecom companies in India so they can expand broadband services there, with a particular focus on rural areas.
According to Bhargava, Starlink must provide services that are worth more than the prices. It is expected that the company will first focus on areas with limited access to the internet, such as the interior regions of the country.
Bhargava talked earlier this week about increasing broadband access for rural communities in India in collaboration with Indian telcos. When the 12 Phase-1 aspirational districts are identified by the NITI Aayog, Starlink India will start discussions with broadband providers and assess interest from players as well as the USOF (universal service obligation fund).
Release date of Starlink in India
SpaceX intends to offer broadband service to two lakh active terminals in India by December 2022, assuming the government approves the plans. Approximately 1800 satellites have been deployed by SpaceX, according to SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell. By September 2021, Starlink’s Internet services will be available worldwide when those satellites reach their operational orbits.
What is the cost of Starlink in India?
According to Starlink, more than 5,000 pre-orders have been received from India. Users will receive data at a speed of 50 to 150 megabytes per second during the beta phase, and a deposit of $ 99 (about Rs 7,350) from the company will be required. After more Starlink satellites have been deployed into low-earth orbit, the connection speeds will reach Gbps. As soon as the kit is activated, Starlink is added along with a Wi-Fi router, power supply, cables, and mounting tripod. Starlink’s iOS and Android apps can help you determine where your installation should be.
A satellite internet system in India could be a big help in reaching regions where wired internet access isn’t available or only offers inconsistent service because of distance or terrain. Moreover, the Starlink satellite broadband service could provide stiff competition in India’s metro cities as well as Tier-1 and Tier-2 towns for Reliance Jio Fiber and Airtel Xstream broadband, as well as other smaller broadband players who have limitations in what they can do.
