The CEO of SpaceX and the richest man in the world, Elon Musk’s Starlink India launch is approaching, which causes tension for Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director, Indian billionaire, and businessman.
Users can make calls without a mobile network, and high-speed internet in Elon Musk’s Starlink is probably going to be the first satellite broadband provider in India, but Jio and Bharti Airtel, both led by Mukesh Ambani, the richest person in Asia, have already finished the regulatory procedure to start their respective satellite-based internet services.
Musk is planning to introduce his Starlink satellite internet service in India. He will face off against Jio, led by Mukesh Ambani, and Airtel, owned by Sunil Mittal, who are now the leading internet providers in the nation, for market share.
According to recent sources, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is now developing an allocation plan for Musk’s satellite broadband service after receiving suggestions for spectrum allocation for Starlink from TRAI on December 15 of last month. Telecom companies are racing to introduce their satellite broadband services in response to Starlink’s upcoming arrival into the Indian market.
Jio Satcom, Airtel OneWeb, and Amazon are also joining the fray with Kuiper. Although Musk’s Starlink is expected to be the first satellite broadband provider in India, rumors indicate that Jio and Bharti Airtel, both led by Mukesh Ambani, have already finished the regulatory process necessary to launch their respective satellite-based internet services.
According to recent reports available to BrandSpur telecom and IT news desk, the DoT is currently deciding on the method of allocating spectrum for satellite broadband service after receiving recommendations from the telecom regulator TRAI on December 15, 2024. This means that the Starlink satellite internet service is expected to launch in India as early as February 2025.
According to sources, Jio and Airtel are advocating for an auction model of spectrum allocation, although the procedure is anticipated to be the same as the allocation methodology for 2G services.
The decision regarding spectrum allotment is expected to be made by the end of this month, according to a statement by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla, had previously stated that India is prepared to grant him a license to introduce his satellite-based Starlink internet service in the nation; however, the precise launch date will be contingent upon the timing of spectrum allocation.
According to sources, Starlink will shortly receive an operational license after agreeing to abide by the guidelines established by the Indian government regarding data security and storage. With download rates ranging from 50 to 150 Mbps in the basic plan and up to 220 Mbps in the premium plan, Musk’s Starlink provides satellite-based wireless internet connectivity. When compared to current internet speeds, the upload rates, which can range from 10 to 20 Mbps, are, at best, poor.
However, compared to what Starlink appears to be giving on paper, the internet services provided by India’s largest telecom companies, such as Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, are not only far quicker but also significantly less expensive. The primary selling point of Starlink, however, is its capacity to offer access in isolated locations without the need for any kind of mobile network infrastructure. With Starlink, users may access high-speed internet without purchasing a separate device and make and send calls even in places without network service.
Currently, a few nations, including the US, Australia, and certain European nations, offer Starlink internet service.
