Currently, there is significant controversy in India regarding satellite internet. Starlink, which is Elon Musk’s telecom company, is providing internet services in many countries worldwide. Although it has not yet launched in India, it is set to arrive soon. In his Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted permission for Starlink to launch in India. Indian telecom companies like Jio and Airtel demanded an auction process, but the Indian government rejected this demand and supported Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Highlights
- Starlink telecom has received approval to enter India.
- Approval for Starlink has angered Mukesh Ambani, the owner of Jio, and Sunil Bharti Mittal, the owner of Airtel, who may face legal battles in court.
- When will Starlink services be implemented in India?
- Elon Musk praised the Indian government.
Elon Musk Praises Indian Government
The issue escalated when the government criticized Mukesh Ambani’s satellite spectrum auction process. Elon Musk appreciated the Indian government’s decision and posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Starlink Telecom aims to provide the best services to Indians. He expressed his desire to expand his services to a large country like India, claiming that Starlink offers excellent servers, ensuring internet access even in remote mountainous regions.
Jio and Airtel’s Growing Challenges
The entry of Starlink into India poses a significant threat to Jio and Airtel. If Starlink launches in India, it could take away their user base, as Reliance Telecom is one of Mukesh Ambani’s biggest revenue sources. These telecom companies are unwilling to share their market space, knowing they cannot match Starlink’s servers.
Unlike Jio and Airtel, which provide internet services through ground and undersea cables, Starlink delivers internet directly via satellites in space. This enables internet access in the most remote corners of the world. Astonishingly, Elon Musk has already launched over 40,000 satellites into space.
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Why the Government Wants Starlink in India
Starlink’s entry could bring several benefits to Indian citizens. Its primary advantage is providing affordable and high-quality internet services. Since India is a predominantly agricultural country, with 70% of the population being farmers, many work in remote areas where network connectivity is poor or nonexistent. Starlink’s presence would ensure internet availability in every corner of the country.
Which Phones Will Support Starlink?
Some people speculate that using Starlink’s internet will require Starlink’s own phone, without a SIM card, operating via software. However, this is false. To access Starlink’s internet, a phone must have LTE capabilities, which are present in almost all modern phones. Thus, Starlink internet can be used on any LTE-enabled phone. However, there is no official announcement yet about its launch date.
