How much will Starlink Internet cost in India ?
The pricing details for Starlink’s service in India are presently undisclosed. However, insights provided by the company’s former India head suggest a potential first-year cost of around Rs 1,58,000. In the subsequent years, the service cost is anticipated to be Rs 1,15,000, inclusive of a 30 percent tax, considering the one-time purchase nature of Starlink’s equipment. The user equipment’s base price is estimated at Rs 37,400, with an additional monthly service fee of Rs 7,425.
Satellite communication in India is in its early stages but holds significant potential, particularly in rural and remote areas. As per a report by EY-ISpA, India’s space economy is projected to witness a compound annual growth rate of 6 percent, reaching $13 billion by 2025.
Benefit of Starlink in India
Satellite communication, or satcom, offers broadband speeds comparable to 4G, reaching up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps), though it falls short of the ultra-fast speeds of 5G, which can reach up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps).
Starlink users typically experience download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps, with a majority achieving speeds over 100 Mbps. Upload speeds generally fall between 5 and 20 Mbps, according to information available on the company’s website. This technology proves especially beneficial for consumers in remote areas where traditional internet infrastructure, such as towers or optical fiber, is inaccessible.
A key advantage of satellite communication is its swift and uncomplicated installation and deployment compared to traditional terrestrial networks.
Highlighting its potential impact on crucial sectors, Starlink suggests that satellite broadband connections are particularly advantageous for institutions like schools and healthcare facilities. While initially focusing on providing direct internet services to customers, the company may also explore opportunities within the enterprise segment. In contrast, OneWeb is expected to concentrate more on the business-to-business (B2B) sector.
New update Starlink’s services in India
Starlink is on track to receive approval from the Indian government this week, pending clarification of its ownership structure to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. Following this clarification, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expected to issue a letter of intent to Starlink.
A note is being prepared by the department for approval from telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal and communications minister Ashwani Vaishnav. Once their approval is secured, the Satellite Communications Wing of the department will officially grant approval to Starlink.
In 2022, Starlink applied for a license for global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS). If approved, Starlink will be the third company, after Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb, to receive this license. However, obtaining DoT approval alone does not grant immediate permission to provide satellite-based broadband services. Starlink must also receive approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre to establish earth stations.
Even with all these approvals, Starlink, along with OneWeb and Jio’s satellite arm, will still need to wait for the DoT to allocate spectrum before they can commence their satellite-based broadband services. Additionally, Amazon’s satellite communication project, Project Kuiper, is also seeking a GMPCS license in India.
