Starlink to have two million customers in India, offer 200 Mbps speed: MoS Telecom

Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Mr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, announced that Starlink, the satellite internet provider led by Elon Musk, will be limited to two million connections in India, offering speeds up to 200 megabits per second (Mbps). Following a review meeting with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the Minister of State for Telecom downplayed concerns that Starlink would pose a threat to state-run BSNL or other telecom operators, attributing this to the high cost of Starlink services and its focus on rural and remote areas. He clarified that the high installation and monthly charges, approximately Rs. 3,000, would make it a costly option for many users. 

Earlier this month, Starlink secured the final licence required from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), India's space regulator, paving the way for its commercial operations. This approval removed the last regulatory hurdle for Starlink's market entry, following a two-year waiting period for full government approval. With this, Starlink becomes the third satellite provider permitted to offer services in India, joining Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio. However, Starlink still needs to acquire spectrum from the government, establish ground infrastructure, and undergo testing to meet India's security standards. Starlink plans to distribute its kits through telecom partners Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, having signed distribution agreements in April.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.