Starlink in India

January 5, 2022

Satellite Internet Company of Elon Musk, Starlink, is facing a tough time in Indian market. Starlink’s India head Sanjay Bhargava also announced to quit the company.

Highlights

Starlink rolled out internet services quietly in India, in early 2021. But it was forced to shut down services after government intervention.
In November 2021, the Department of Telecommunications had warned Indian citizens to avoid buying Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services because, it is not yet licensed in the country.
Telecom department had also asked Elon Musk’s company to “get a licence before selling Satellite-based internet services.”
Government had also asked the company to refund all the pre-orders it received, until it gets licence to operate in India.

Pre-orders in India

Starlink has already received more than 5,000 pre-orders for its devices in India. However, it is struggling to receive commercial licences. Without getting licence, it cannot offer any services here.

About Starlink

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation, launched and operated by SpaceX. The satellite constellation provides satellite Internet access, covering most of the Earth. The constellation has grown to more than 1,700 satellites as of 2021. It will eventually consist of many more mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Technical possibility of satellite internet service covers most part of the Earth. However, actual service can be delivered only in those countries that have provided license to SpaceX. Currently, beta service offering is available across 21 countries.

Background

Early-stage planning for the starlink started in 2014. Product development occurred in earnest by 2017. In February 2018, the company launched two prototype test-flight satellites. Additional test satellites as well as 60 operational satellites were deployed in 2019. SpaceX, that launches up to 60 satellites at a time, further aims to deploy 1,584 of the 260 kg spacecrafts to provide services across the global by 2022.

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