SpaceX Starlink: India's leading telecom operators, Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms, are now looking to provide Elon Musk's Starlink internet service in India. They vow to introduce this pioneering satellite-based service to millions, subject to government clearances for Starlink. On Tuesday, they became the first Indian operators to enter this new age.

SpaceX Starlink 2
SpaceX Starlink

What Is SpaceX Starlink?

For those who need a quick summary, let us tell you that Starlink is Elon Musk's SpaceX initiative to provide speedy internet to even the most far-flung places. That is, Starlink employs a constellation of low-orbit satellites to transmit signals to areas that regular cables and fiber optics cannot penetrate. As a result, it establishes an internet network with very little lag and remarkable speeds.

How Will Airtel and Jio Roll It Out?

Both Jio and Airtel also intend to demonstrate Starlink hardware in their retail outlets. They guarantee to provide exceptional customer support along with new hardware. Additionally, they will roll out the service after SpaceX Starlink completes its formalities with the Indian government. Furthermore, they assure customers the best support while using this groundbreaking internet solution.

The Move Follows High-Level Talks

Importantly, this action follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and Elon Musk's recent visit to the US. Consequently, Elon Musk is increasingly demonstrating his interest in the Indian market. Moreover, his electric car company, Tesla, could also debut in India in the near future. Evidently, these actions paved the way for a technological revolution in the nation.

How Does Starlink Work, and What Does It Cost?

Starlink transmits internet signals via low-orbit satellites, so it reaches distant places quickly and effectively. For instance, Ookla indicates that in 2022, SpaceX Starlink had a median download speed of 160 Mbps in Lithuania. Likewise, it had speeds of 91 Mbps in the US, 97 Mbps in Canada, 124 Mbps in Australia, and 105.91 Mbps in Mexico. Thus, SpaceX Starlink is one of the fastest satellite internet services, particularly in North America.

Also, Starlink at present has three internet plans available in the US. For residential purposes, charges begin at $110 a month, with a one-time payment of $599 for hardware. Business plans, on the other hand, have a maximum monthly charge of $500. We can, therefore, reasonably anticipate that local market conditions will influence the Indian pricing.