Elon Musk-owned Starlink is all set to receive final regulatory approval to commence its satellite communication services in India. The company has to sign a draft authorisation document with the space regulator IN-SPACe.
Final go-ahead awaited from IN-SPACe
Once the company signs the document, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre will pave the way for it to start operations by countersigning the document.
Starlink set to enter league of approved Satcom operators
The final approval will place the company equivalent to other Satcom players like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite, which have already received approvals.
Stralink has already finalised its pricing structure for the Indian market, setting the cost of the required satellite dish device at approximately Rs 33,000. The monthly unlimited data plan is expected to be priced at Rs 3,000.
Starlink plans to offer a complimentary one-month trial period
As part of its launch strategy, Starlink plans to offer a complimentary one-month trial period with each device purchase, allowing customers to test the service before committing to regular monthly payments.
The satellite internet service is expected to significantly impact connectivity in India’s remote and underserved areas, where traditional broadband infrastructure has been challenging to establish. Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation promises to deliver high-speed internet access to locations previously unreachable by conventional terrestrial networks.
Pricing structure appears consistent with Starlink’s regional strategy
The pricing structure appears consistent with Starlink’s regional strategy, as the device costs align with those in neighbouring countries. In Bangladesh, the Starlink device is priced at Rs 33,000, while Bhutan maintains the same Rs 33,000 price point for the equipment.
Industry experts suggest that Starlink’s entry into the Indian market could intensify competition in the country’s telecommunications sector and provide crucial connectivity solutions for rural areas, educational institutions, and businesses in remote locations.
