Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is forging ahead with the license application in India. It is reported that the company has agreed to comply with the government’s requirements in data localisation and security requirements.
In October this year, Musk hinted on X about participating in the spectrum auction to extend their service in India. Subsequently, the Indian government laid down a security checklist to abide by, which the company is said to have agreed to.
Next Wave of Connectivity
The step marks a crucial development in bringing satellite broadband from a foreign player to a market that is dominated by ethernet-based broadband. With incumbents like Jio-Reliance, which is bringing internet connectivity to over 12 million users (as of May 2024), witnessing a 34.5% increase in its user base, Starlink would be up for a big challenge.
Interestingly, Jio also provides satellite internet via JioSpaceFiber, which is currently available in a few cities in India. On the global front, Starlink would be gearing up to compete with other players who are looking to enter the Indian market, too. For instance, Project Kuiper, which is Amazon’s satellite technology for the internet, is also trying to enter the Indian market. The company has also submitted its application for a license to the DoT.
Starlink aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity in rural and remote areas. The service will rely on low-earth orbit satellites to communicate with user terminals on the ground. Rivada Space Networks, which is set to make its way in the next few years, is also leveraging low-earth orbit technology. India is a promising destination.
Founder, chairman and CEO, Declan Ganley of Rivada Networks had earlier told AIM in an exclusive interaction, “We are not going to do anything in India without going very carefully and working with the regulator in India. There will be no surprises.”
With several players entering the ‘space’, it's clear that the next wave of broadband connectivity in India will see intense competition between local and international providers.
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