The Indian government recognizes the necessity of satellite internet, particularly in rural regions, according to Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. This statement provides a favorable development for Elon Musk’s Starlink, which aims to establish operations in the world’s most populous country.
“There are many remote corners of the country where fiber or mobile connectivity is not feasible. How can we achieve 100 percent saturation without satellite internet?” Scindia articulated during an interview in New Delhi on Tuesday. He further highlighted that satellite connectivity is vital for maintaining communications post-natural disasters that could damage towers and fiber networks.
Scindia also emphasized the supportive role that satellite services play alongside existing terrestrial and fiber communications, reiterating India’s commitment to provide diverse internet solutions for consumers.
The minister’s comments reflect strong endorsement from the Narendra Modi administration for innovative communication technologies. This stance will benefit global companies looking to enter the Indian market, such as Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and OneWeb.
Starlink has yet to receive a regulatory license to begin its operations in India and is currently waiting for local regulations pertaining to spectrum pricing. However, several favorable conditions are starting to develop for the company.
Recently, Starlink formed partnerships with two prominent Indian telecom operators, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel, successfully persuading initial skeptics to support its request for affordable airwaves.
‘Open for Anyone’
“India’s market is open for anyone and everyone who wants to come and participate in this large market and provide a service,” Scindia remarked. “Ultimately, it’s up to the consumer to decide which service provider they will choose.”
The minister refrained from detailing when Starlink might obtain its license or the pricing spectrum for satellite internet services.
The Indian telecom regulator is currently developing the necessary rules, with the spectrum pricing expected to affect satellite broadband costs for Indian consumers.
As the second-largest internet market behind China, India boasts extremely low phone data charges, which can be as low as $0.11 (approximately Rs. 9.52) per gigabyte. This competitive environment means that any new entrant must navigate a price-sensitive market.
Security Conditions
Scindia stated that firms are responsible for setting their satellite internet pricing. International companies, including SpaceX’s Starlink, must also meet India’s internal and external security requirements to secure operational licenses. Notably, competitors OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s JioSpaceFiber have already acquired local permits to commence their services.
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