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Tag: Starlink

  • Starlink to Set Up 9 Earth Stations Across India Ahead of Satellite Internet Launch

    The Economic Times reported that nine gateway earth stations will be established in key Indian cities, including Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow, by SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink. The opening of Starlink’s satellite internet services in India will be aided by these stations. Through its Gen 1 satellite constellation, the corporation has requested 600 gigabits per second capacity over India, according to an official who spoke to The Economic Times. The spectrum has been provisionally assigned to show compliance with security regulations.

    As of right now, the permission permits Starlink to do just fixed satellite service demos and import 100 user terminals. Because satellite networks are frequently seen as vital security infrastructure, an official was cited as saying, “Tough conditions have been imposed to prevent misuse.”

    The ET article claims that Starlink attempted to hire foreign technical specialists to run the station, but the government has prohibited foreigners from managing the gates until the Ministry of Home Affairs has given its security clearance.

    Only Indian nationals will be permitted to run these stations for the time being, the source informed the media outlet. India’s increased examination of satcom systems in light of worries about national security and possible abuse in delicate border areas is reflected in the action.

    The purported abuse of Starlink terminals in restricted areas sparked concerns from India’s security services earlier this year. After illicit Starlink devices were found in Manipur and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in March, the Ministry of Home Affairs requested that the DoT look into the matter. Since then, authorities have highlighted the importance of data localisation and frequent reporting to prevent satellite equipment from ending up in the wrong hands.

    Commercial services cannot be provided during demonstrations under the provisions of the interim spectrum. All generated data must be kept in India, and Starlink must provide reports to the DoT and security agencies every two weeks that include user locations, terminal information, and geocoordinates.

    Officials went on to say that following the security compliance phase, the government’s final rules and pricing structure will determine any regular spectrum assignment.

    Quick Shots

    •Key
    cities include Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow.

    •Support
    Starlink’s satellite internet service using Gen 1 satellite constellation
    with 600 Gbps capacity.

    •Limited
    to fixed satellite service demos and import of 100 user terminals.

    •Only
    Indian nationals allowed to operate stations until Ministry of Home Affairs
    approval.

    •Frequent
    reporting to DoT and security agencies; data must remain in India.

    •Concerns
    over misuse and national security after illegal Starlink devices found in
    restricted areas.

  • Elon Musk’s Starlink Ties Up with UIDAI to Enable Aadhaar-Based Customer Verification in India

    According to an official announcement cited by news agency PTI, billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet service business Starlink would use Aadhaar authentication to validate Indian consumers before onboarding them. Starlink has been given permission by the government to start providing satellite-based broadband services domestically.

    As per the release, Starlink Satellite Communication Pvt Ltd, a satellite-based internet provider, has been onboarded by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). For customer verification, Starlink will adopt Aadhaar Authentication, which will streamline, secure, and simplify the procedure.

    In India, Starlink can currently enrol about 20 lakh consumers, according to an official estimate. The onboarding of Starlink with Aadhaar identification, according to the statement, represents a potent synergy: India’s reliable digital identity collaborating with international satellite technology.

    In addition to providing high-speed internet to homes, businesses, and institutions, Aadhaar e-KYC will make user onboarding easier and guarantee regulatory compliance.

    In front of UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, UIDAI Deputy Director General Manish Bhardwaj, and Starlink India Director Parnil Urdhwareshe, Starlink Satellite Communication was designated as a sub-authentication and sub-eKYC user agency. To provide its services within the nation, Starlink has partnered with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

    The Elon Musk-led satellite internet company can offer speeds of up to 200 Mbps, according to Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, the Minister of State for Rural Development and Telecommunications.

    Impact on Telecom Players Jio, Airtel, and BSNL

    According to PTI, the government doesn’t think this will affect other telecom providers. “Starlink can only serve 20 lakh customers in India while providing speeds of up to 200 Mbps. “Telecom services won’t be impacted by it,” Minister Pemmasani told the news agency during a BSNL review meeting.

    Customers in rural and distant areas of India, a sizable market for the state-owned telecom carrier BSNL, are the target market for the company’s satellite internet services.

    Starlink’s Role in Rural Connectivity in India

    According to earlier reports from a number of media outlets, Starlink intends to use its satellite technology to expand the local telecom industry and address connection issues in rural and isolated parts of India.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Will use Aadhaar Authentication &
    e-KYC for Indian customer verification.

    •Starlink expected to enroll up to 20
    lakh customers initially.

    •Combines India’s digital identity
    system (Aadhaar) with global satellite internet tech.

    •Ensures secure, simplified, and
    regulatory-compliant customer onboarding.

  • Starlink to Store All User Data Locally in India, Says Government

    According to Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service will store its network data, traffic, and other information locally in India.

    “Security conditions, among other things, include the establishment of earth station gateway(s) in India for providing satellite-based communication services with no user traffic originating from or destined for India being routed through any gateway located outside India, no copying and decryption of the Indian data outside the country, and the Indian user traffic is not to be mirrored to any system/server located abroad,” the minister wrote in a response to the Rajya Sabha.

    Following Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio-SES JV, US-based Starlink is the third satcom operator to obtain all necessary approvals to provide commercial broadband from space services in India. In June, Starlink was granted permission to use Global Mobile Personal Communication via Satellite (GMPCS).

    Starlink’s LEO Satellite Constellation and Capacity in India

    Starlink’s Gen 1 constellation has been approved by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to offer satellite communication services within the country. The first generation is Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) network, which consists of 4408 satellites and has a 600 Gbps throughput capacity in India.

    Satcom Sector to Drive Employment Growth in India

    According to Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, the satcom industry is anticipated to provide jobs because it is a developing field. In his response, the minister stated that satellite-based communication services are a developing field that, like any new business venture, is anticipated to create jobs in the nation.

    This is because the services include, among other things, the installation, operation, and maintenance of the telecom network, which includes user terminal equipment.

    Starlink’s Role in Bridging India’s Digital Divide

    Through a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, SpaceX’s worldwide satellite internet project Starlink aims to provide consumers with direct access to high-speed broadband. By delivering fast and dependable broadband to remote areas like villages and hilly terrain, Starlink’s venture has the potential to transform internet accessibility in India, where the digital divide is still a significant barrier.

    Sekhar had stated that Starlink would provide rates of up to 200 Mbps throughout the nation, according to news agency PTI. “Starlink can only serve 20 lakh customers in India while providing speeds of up to 200 Mbps.” Telecommunications services won’t be impacted. It is anticipated that the regulations governing the distribution of spectrum for satellite communications (satcom) services will shortly be finalised.

    TRAI’s Recommendation on Satcom Spectrum Allocation

    According to the PTI report, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has advised administrative distribution of satcom spectrum instead of holding an auction. Furthermore, the regulator has suggested a five-year spectrum allocation period that might be extended by an extra two years depending on the state of the market.

  • Starlink & Amazon Strike First Satellite Broadband Deals in India Ahead of Spectrum Showdown

    According to a media report, US satellite companies Starlink and Amazon Kuiper have inked their first commercial agreements with VSAT providers in India.

    This step marks a significant step towards the establishment of government and business satellite broadband services before satellite spectrum is formally allotted.

    Through these collaborations, the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband companies hope to make money from their products in the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) markets. At the same time, they are getting ready to cater to the retail consumer market, whose price structures are still being decided.

    According to the media source, Amazon and Starlink have been attempting to establish collaborations in India. With an emphasis on the B2B and B2G markets, they have already found a few VSAT partners in India and are actively seeking more. They aim to make the best use of their India potential. Hughes Communications, Nelco, and Inmarsat are a few of the major VSAT providers in India.

    Eutelsat OneWeb will use a sell-through strategy through Indian partners, and both Starlink and Amazon Kuiper want to compete directly with it in both the enterprise and retail sectors.

    Hybrid Model go to Market for India

    According to a media report, Kuiper and Starlink are pursuing a hybrid go-to-market strategy in India. In addition to providing services directly, they are forming alliances to market through other partners.

    For example, Starlink has previously established a sell-through model collaboration with Reliance Jio and Airtel. According to the report, Starlink would soon start providing connections to customers directly through its website.

    In the same way, Kuiper will not depend on a single master distributor or handle everything on their own. This strategy was chosen because India is a adverse and new market.

    Bank branches, ATMs, remote petrol stations, warehouses, retail chains, cellular backhaul, maritime and in-flight connectivity, and defence infrastructure are among the common applications for VSAT service providers, all of which stand to gain from higher-bandwidth LEO-based upgrades.

    In terms of regulatory advancement, these changes put Starlink on par with Jio Satellite and Eutelsat OneWeb. Last month, it was granted a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) licence, making it the third business in India permitted to provide commercial satcom services.

    Although Starlink currently has a GMPCS permit, it has not yet received its IN-SPACe approval. According to a media report, Starlink has received a draft agreement from the Indian space regulator that is anticipated to be signed shortly.

    Additionally, Starlink will receive trial spectrum from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in exchange for completing security compliance demonstrations.

    Jyotiraditya Scindia, the minister of communications, met with senior executives from SpaceX, the parent firm of Starlink, a few days ago to explore joint venture possibilities for using satellite technology to fuel India’s digital infrastructure.

    Amazon Kuiper is now pending IN-SPACe and GMPCS certifications. The business has finished all necessary operational and security audits, and the next meeting of the interministerial standing committee is probably when its application will be examined.

  • Starlink Set to Launch in India with INR 3,000 Monthly Plans, INR 33,000 Setup Fee

    With an anticipated monthly price of INR 3,000 for limitless bandwidth and a one-time fee of INR 33,000 for the receiver kit, Elon Musk’s satellite internet business Starlink is getting closer to offering its services in India.

    According to a media site, the service is anticipated to launch within the next 12 months. On June 6, Starlink achieved a significant milestone in its attempts to join the Indian broadband market by obtaining a vital licence from the Ministry of Telecommunications.

    With this approval, Starlink becomes one of the three companies permitted to provide satellite-based internet services in India, joining Bharti Airtel’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s satellite division.

    Through its constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink intends to provide 600–700 Gbps of bandwidth, focusing on rural and isolated regions where traditional fibre and mobile networks are still scarce or unreliable.

    Starlink is establishing itself as a premium service in areas where terrestrial internet is not an option, even though India is renowned for having some of the lowest data prices in the world. There were differing initial predictions regarding Starlink’s pricing in India.

    Sanjay Bhargava, the former head of Starlink India, had projected an initial cost of INR 1.58 lakh, which would drop to INR 1.15 lakh in later years. The revised numbers align the price with Starlink’s recent debut in Bangladesh, where the service is available for INR 3,000 per month with a hardware cost of INR 33,000.

    At the moment, Starlink serves a few Asian nations, such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan. Standard plans cost between INR 4,000 and INR 6,000 per month, depending on the market, whereas Residential Lite plans in the region usually cost between INR 2,600 and INR 3,000.

    The first-year cost in Bangladesh, where the pricing plan is very similar to that suggested for India, is approximately INR 66,000. Before Starlink can begin operations in India, it still needs to clear further regulatory obstacles even after obtaining its operating licence.

    The DoT has yet to approve the spectrum allotment proposals made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The necessary paperwork for DoT clearance has already been sent in by the business.

     After Starlink promised to abide by the most recent national security regulations for satcom operators, DoT granted initial clearance.

    These comprise 29 new requirements, including the usage of local data centres, the requirement for interception and monitoring systems, the ability for mobile terminals to track, and the stringent localisation of infrastructure and services.

  • Elon Musk’s Starlink Set to Launch in India at Just INR 840!

    High-speed satellite internet services are about to be introduced in India by Elon Musk’s Starlink and other satellite communication companies, such as Eutelsat OneWeb, which is supported by the Bharti Group, Reliance Jio’s joint venture with SES, and Globalstar.

     In order to swiftly draw in a sizable user base in one of the biggest telecom markets in the world, Starlink is anticipated to launch unlimited data plans at discount prices of less than $10 (about INR 840) per month, according to a report from a renowned media house.

    Severe Competition o Lead the Race

    Satellite operators are trying to expand quickly by providing reasonably priced services, despite the high cost of spectrum and licences. According to experts, this strategy might assist these businesses in spreading out their costly spectrum and infrastructure expenditures over a larger clientele.

    Up to 10 million consumers in India is the long-term objective. The telecom watchdog in India, TRAI, has suggested a minimum yearly spectrum cost of INR 3,500 per MHz and a 4% levy on adjusted gross revenue (AGR).

    Additionally, suppliers will be required to pay a licence charge of 8%. While there would be no such tax in rural areas, operators would have to pay an extra INR 500 per subscriber annually in metropolitan areas.

    The ultimate government approval of these recommendations is pending. Even while the monthly plans can appear alluring, many Indian users might be put off by the initial expense of Starlink hardware.

     Starlink kits cost between $250 and $380 (about INR 21,300 to INR 32,400) worldwide. This is a substantial investment in contrast to India’s fibre broadband offerings, which have cheaper installation costs, offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and frequently come with bundled OTT subscriptions.

    Developments in Regulation and Actions by Rivals

    Starlink has obtained a letter of intent from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and is awaiting final certification from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), whereas Jio-SES and Eutelsat OneWeb have already obtained regulatory licenses.

    Technical constraints may impede Starlink’s expansion in India, notwithstanding its lofty goals. The satellite constellation’s geographic coverage of India is projected to be between 0.7% and 0.8% of the world’s total satellite capacity, meaning that only 700 to 800 satellites are always in the country.

     This contrasts sharply with India’s strong terrestrial infrastructure, which includes 3 million base transceiver stations and more than 800,000 telecom towers. For comparison, Starlink presently charges 6,000 BDT (about INR 4,200) per month in Bangladesh.

    The overall start-up fees for new customers come to around INR 37,200, which includes a one-time equipment price of 47,000 BDT (INR 33,000) and an extra 2,800 BDT (INR 2,000) for shipment.

  • Starlink Secures Approval to Launch Satellite Internet in India

    Elon Musk’s satellite internet project has finally got a go-ahead from the Indian government to set up operations after nearly three years of wading through bureaucratic channels. Starlink now moves toward getting its Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license cleared. A letter of intent has been issued, marking a significant go-ahead for the company to set up operations in a market where it has pushed back against domestic telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, who opposed Starlink in favor of auctioning spectrum.

    Strategic Meetings Accelerate Progress

    Starlink’s latest movement in India traces high-profile dealings with the Indian leadership. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had a discussion that provided a glimpse into the kind of collaboration between star companies and high-profile world leaders that is common in the modern political economy. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starlink also pressed its case for going to market in India in meetings with senior government officials. Pressing the play button on the Indian digital economy is a promise that Starlink, a bridge in satellite technology, makes to the Indian government.

    A New Chapter in India’s Broadband Landscape

    Starlink’s arrival presents a real alternative to old-school terrestrial broadband networks like cable and fiber. With about 7,000 satellites currently in orbit, it’s also the much larger player in the satellite broadband space, and the much cheaper one, too. Still, with that much space in the sky, Starlink’s coverage is unmatched, and resilience is built into a system that can route around terrestrial failures, whether due to natural disasters or human errors. Pricing remains an open question, but the first tier of customers in India will probably be well-heeled urban households and businesses seeking a reliable alternative.

    Compliance and Localization

    The Department of Telecommunications has now granted approval. There had been some concern that the stringent new guidelines released by the department, demanding, among other things, that public and private satellite internet providers support India’s regional navigation system, NavIC, might hobble Starlink’s entry into the Indian market. Starlink already has its phased rollout plan in place, clearly outlined in the 50-page application document it submitted last July, in which it also detailed how it would comply with the new regulations. Implementation of the plan will be closely monitored by the Indian government.

  • India Tightens Satellite Internet Rules Ahead of Starlink, Kuiper Launches

    The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has laid the groundwork for a total revamp of the security mechanism for satellite-based internet service providers. This was long overdue, considering that players like Starlink and Project Kuiper, from the global big shots of the telecom industry, are knocking on the doors of the Indian market. The DoT thinks the new avatar will better defend national interests.

    The new guidelines require all licensees to obtain specific security clearances for each gateway hub in India, with a focus on real-time surveillance, domestic data routing, and operational transparency. Additionally, operators must set up lawful interception systems at key infrastructure points before starting commercial operations. These measures are designed to tighten security controls in an increasingly sensitive digital environment.

    Indian Infrastructure Mandate and Geo-Fencing Requirements

    The revised regulations make clear that the most fundamental parts of the technology core, monitoring parts, data control parts, and routing parts, must be located within the geographic borders of India. They also leave no doubt that service providers must use geo-fencing to keep the signals within the same borders. Otherwise, you get into a complicated situation, especially if you’re trying to put a system near an international land border or coastal region.

    Denying or restricting service to certain geographical areas or specific users, especially during emergencies or under government direction, is an operator responsibility. This ensures that national agencies can exercise control over service coverage, even in high-risk areas. The government also wants the NavIC satellite navigation system integrated into the telecom networks by 2029.

    Terminal Authentication and Real-Time Tracking Now Compulsory

    A notable aspect of the new framework is its emphasis on the registration of user terminals and real-time authentication. All devices, whether fixed or mobile, operating in Indian territory must be authenticated locally before accessing satellite network services. Devices not previously registered, or that were manufactured outside of India, must be verified before being used, even in areas that are supposed to be within satellite network coverage.

    Precise tracking of user terminals must be enabled by operators. This requires that the shared data be sufficiently accurate and up-to-date to allow for real-time decision-making by authorities. That, in turn, mandates some rather unforgiving stipulations for mobile units. Updates must go out either every 2.6 kilometers or every minute, whichever comes first, and no update can be missed. This is roughly the same pace at which a human runs.

    Data Sovereignty and Technical Compliance Cement Control

    The most recent guidelines are quite firm about data sovereignty. All internet traffic originating from satellite services must pass through Indian gateways. And there are strict rules about not decrypting, duplicating, or storing telecom data anywhere outside the country. Making any satellite-to-satellite or terminal-to-terminal in-space peer-to-peer communication is also explicitly prohibited.

    Moreover, businesses must show adherence to India’s technical standards for non-geostationary satellite networks (NGSO), Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM), and Transportable Earth Stations (TES) before they can launch services. Data centers, DNS services, and remote operations must follow domestic protocols for hosting and access to data. India has made it clear that for satellite communication to be operational within its borders, there are two requirements: operational readiness and regulatory alignment.

  • Starlink Sets Sights on India with Multi-Partner Strategy

    Starlink, Elon Musk’s SpaceX venture, which offers satellite broadband, is actively exploring partnerships in India with a range of players across the satcom, telecom, and broadband sectors. Companies like Hughes, Nelco (of the Tata Group), and BSNL are in talks with the company. According to people familiar with the matter, Starlink intends to pursue an India strategy that combines direct operations with partnerships.

    Starlink is employing a parallel strategy in India that has worked successfully in other international markets. It has sought out Indian telecom partners for distributing its service to customers that these companies can reach. India’s third-largest telecom operator, Vodafone Idea, has also expressed interest in engaging with satcom providers such as Starlink. This signals a growing appetite for satellite internet services to meet  the  demand for rural and remote connectivity.

    Infrastructure Plans and Market Readiness

    Starlink is all set to serve even as it awaits the last clearance from the regulators. It has, however, made a public show of setting up its infrastructure in India in a big way and has very much signaled its intent to begin service as soon as the licensing is in place. To that end, it has operational plans here that call for three gateway stations to be set up in Mumbai, Pune, and Indore, along with what it calls a point of presence in Mumbai to anchor its operations across the subcontinent.

    Starlink has a huge global capacity already because it has sent so many satellites into space. It has 30,000 second-generation satellites in the pipeline; these will beam down even better internet signals than the first-generation satellites. Starlink has a reassurance in internal assessments that its bandwidth capability and coverage in India far exceeds anything else from the other satellite companies currently in the Indian market.

    Regulatory and Security Challenges

    Although much of the regulatory groundwork is close to being finished, several sticking points remain. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) wants companies that offer satellite services to set up monitoring across India’s borders, including in sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. This isn’t something Starlink has committed to yet, and it has consequently slowed final approvals.

    The company, however, has consented to set up a control and monitoring center for the domestic network and certified it would not route data through gateways in countries that share a land border with India, in line with national security priorities. It has also furnished In-SPACe, the Indian space regulator, with the necessary paperwork and is said to be on the verge of obtaining the requisite licenses that come under the GMPCS umbrella. In India, Starlink is focused on bringing broadband to areas that have no access at all or only very poor access to the internet. Its main push is in the North-East and other remote terrains.

  • Vodafone Idea Currently in Discussions with Musk’s Starlink

    Following a spike in its share price, telecom giant Vodafone Idea Ltd. clarified on 19 March its ongoing talks with satellite communication providers, including Starlink. Following media speculations of a possible partnership, the corporation said that these talks are part of its regular business plan to improve service quality and broaden its telecom services. Vi  informed the exchanges that the brand is in exploratory discussions with Starlink and other Satcom providers.

    The Ongoing Developments of Vodafone Idea

    On March 19, the company’s shares enjoyed notable increases, closing at INR 7.45 per share, up roughly 5%. Vodafone Idea provided the clarification after the exchanges asked the business for one in response to the story and its potential impact on the increase in the share price. The business added that the share price might have been impacted by its announcement of the launch of its 5G services in Mumbai. In an exchange filing, it had said that, supported by its investment in next-generation infrastructure and competitive spectrum ownership, its 5G services would be accessible in the city starting from 19 March.

    Starlink from Elon Musk could change internet and mobile data, making the Indian telecom market a two-horse race between Jio and Airtel while Vi tries to catch its breath. Vi trails behind, still in the 5G rollout phase, while the two titans are currently at the forefront of the market with their strong 4G and 5G offers. A whole new level of competitiveness is brought about by Musk’s Starlink, especially in isolated and rural locations where Vi would have thought there was room for growth. Even in places where Vi has historically held sway, Jio and Airtel can now provide ultra-fast connectivity thanks to Starlink’s satellite-based internet, which does away with the requirement for substantial physical infrastructure.

    Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, two of India’s top telecom providers, have partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer satellite internet services in the nation. The goal of these collaborations is to improve internet connectivity, particularly in isolated and underdeveloped areas. By sending signals from its constellation of satellites to user terminals—consumer hardware like a router or antenna—on the ground, Starlink offers internet connectivity. These terminals, which resemble little dishes, provide mobile internet access by connecting to a Wi-Fi router. This technology is probably going to play a significant role in closing the digital divide in India. A sizable section of India’s population lives in rural areas with little or no access to the internet. Telemedicine, e-commerce, and online education can all be facilitated using Starlink. Additionally, this can foster economic growth and empower rural communities. In addition, Starlink can offer dependable internet connection in isolated locations where installing fibre optic lines is difficult or impossible, such as mountains and forests.