New Delhi: Apparently emboldened by the Government of India’s ‘in principle’ approval to launch its internet service, the Starlink has deployed 23 satellites into their orbits from Cape Canaveral, Florida on December 8 morning.
All 23 Starlink satellites were successfully catapulted into their respective orbits by a Falcon 9 rocket. This mission is a key step in improving internet accessibility around the world. Of the total satellites, 13 include special technology that allows them to connect directly to mobile phones without any extra equipment needed.
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SpaceX owned by Elon Musk has mentioned that this innovation could greatly benefit people in areas where regular cell phone service isn’t available.
Starlink sources said that they were completing formalities and technical upgrades to launch the satellite based internet service in India by January next year. Before this highly anticipated entry into the Indian market, the company has strengthened its global internet services by sending new satellites into space.
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Starlink has also stated that the company is focused on enhancing the performance of future satellites by increasing their capacity for faster and better internet service. With more than 6,800 satellites now in orbit, it has approximately 350 satellites that can directly connect to mobile devices.
The entry of Starlink into the Indian market is set to deal a major blow to existing internet service providers like Airtel, Jio, BSNL and VodaIndia (VI), which are currently catering over 1 billion data consumers. Jio and Airtel have also introduced 5G internet services, delivering speeds between 300 and 400 Mbps, with certain areas achieving speeds up to 700 Mbps. This raises the question of whether Starlink can match or exceed these speeds.
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Currently, Starlink supplies satellite internet in multiple countries, with its standard plan offering speeds between 50 Mbps and 150 Mbps. The priority plan can reach speeds of up to 220 Mbps, while typical upload speeds range from 10 Mbps to 20 Mbps. It is noteworthy that Starlink’s internet speeds can vary by location. Users can engage in various online activities, such as HD streaming, online gaming, and downloading large files.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is currently finalizing spectrum allocation rules for satellite internet services, which is a key step before Starlink can fully launch.
