New Delhi: The government has approved a permit to Starlink after the company agreed to comply with domestic laws, including security conditions, which bar it from copying and decrypting data overseas and mirroring Indian user traffic on any system set up abroad, Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said.
The minister told PTI that security conditions mandate satellite communication providers to set up earth station gateways in India through which communications from satellite to users are routed.
He said that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted a Unified License (UL) to Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited after the US firm agreed to the stipulated terms and conditions of the UL, including security conditions which is applicable to all satcom players.
The SpaceX’s satellite-based internet service, Starlink is reportedly set for roll out in India by late 2025 to early 2026.
Pricing:
In comparison to the general Wi-Fi this satellite-based internet service would be reportedly heavy on the pockets. The cost structure is projected to include a one-time hardware kit fee of approximately Rs 33,000, which covers the satellite dish, Wi-Fi router, mounting gear, cables, and power supply.
While the monthly subscription plans are speculated to fall in the range of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,200 for unlimited data access. However, few reports suggest that initial promotional offers might cap the monthly pricing to as low as Rs 840.
Internet Speed:
Once Starlink is out, Indian users could see download speeds from 25 Mbps up to 220 Mbps, depending on location and other factors, according to reports.
Few reports indicated potential speeds between 50 Mbps and 250 Mbps, emphasizing Starlink’s anticipated performance in remote or underserved regions.