- The modern-day existence is built on cutting-edge technology-driven advancements, innovations, developments, inventions, and progression, with so much research going in diverse fields. None of the countries would wish to lag in these developments, pumping in requisite investments on research endeavours to stay afloat of the latest occurrences. Needless to mention, communication has become one of the most essential aspects of the present-day world, without which nothing could be furthered vis-à-vis adopting life-altering measures for the benefit of humankind. The efforts are underway to scale up the research and development in every field, leading to healthy competition enabling even more innovations. Satellite and space technology is one such field too.
PC: Outlook Business
- Digitalization is an absolute necessity in the present time is stating the obvious. The digital world is the reality for most of humanity, and it is also apparent. The ease of communication in real time to every nook and corner of the landscape brought about by the revolutionary digitalization is enabling humanity to reap unimaginable benefits on several fronts. As such, the news about satellite internet finally coming to India is welcome news indeed. This new entrant would end the digital divide. Airtel and Elon Musk-owned Starlink’s deal to bring satellite-based internet services to India is excellent news. None would disagree. Wired broadband has obvious limitations in a vast country like India, and the latest government data puts the number of subscribers at just 41mn.
PC: telecomreviewasia.com
- While mobile internet reaches 903mn people, connecting remote settlements with 4G or 5G towers may not be economical. But given enough satellites, satellite internet can touch every corner of the earth, and Starlink has that capability. At last count, it had over 7,000 working satellites, and a plan to build a mega-constellation of 42,000. No other company comes even close, chiefly because Musk also can launch satellites at rock-bottom rates on SpaceX rockets. The speed with which Starlink connected Ukrainian troops at the start of the war three years ago is proof of its efficacy. Incidentally, Starlink won’t be the first satellite-based internet service in India. State-owned BSNL had announced its satellite-to-device service last October.
PC: The Voice Of Sikkim
- Nonetheless, Starlink didn’t finish second for want of trying though. As reported, in Nov 2021, it had started pre-booking subscribers, hoping to get the requisite permissions. That plan didn’t work out. Indian telcos firmly resisted entry, citing the high costs of spectrum and cellular infra they had borne. As late as last October, they were insistent that Starlink participate in a spectrum auction to launch in India. However, International Telecommunication Union rules for satellite spectrum were a hurdle. Better sense – join them, if you can’t fight them – has prevailed after five months. But the collaboration with Airtel means Starlink won’t enter India as a disruptor. The real benefit is not lower bills for existing broadband users but bringing unconnected areas online.
