Here’s how much you may have to pay for satellite internet service

HIGHLIGHTS

Starlink received a Letter of Intent from the Department of Telecommunications to begin operations in India.

Plans may start under $10/month (~Rs 840) to attract users; regulatory fees and tariffs also outlined.

Starlink is likely to rollout its services in India by end of 2025.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX-owned satellite internet service, Starlink, has reportedly received approval from the Indian government to roll out its services in the country earlier this month. Available in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, Starlink will now be offering high-speed internet with low latency in India as well. According to reports, the satellite internet service provider has been issued LoI (letter of Intent) by the Dot (Department of Telecommunications). 

For the unversed, Starlink is a satellite internet provider, known to deliver high-speed broadband directly to users through a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Unlike other conventional satellites, it offers reduced latency and enhanced reliability due to its close proximity to earth. Here’s how much it cost in India, roll out timeline and everything that we know about the Starlink. 

How much Starlink internet connectivity will cost in India?

According to reports, Starlink may introduce unlimited data plans at promotional rates of under $10 (roughly Rs 840) per month in India to target a large user base. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed a Rs 500 monthly urban user charge, a 4 per cent levy on adjusted gross revenue (AGR), and a minimum annual fee of Rs 3,500 per MHz of satellite spectrum. Additionally, it will also be required to pay an 8 per cent licence fee to offer services commercially. 

Notably, in the United States, the standard Starlink costs $349 (roughly Rs 30,000), while the Starlink mini kit is available at $599 (approximately Rs 43,000). 

Currently, Starlink has 7,000 low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites that support approximately 4 million global users. 

When will Starlink start rolling out its services in India?

While the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is reportedly in the last stages of recommendations for spectrum allocation, the company is yet to get approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to provide its services in India. We don’t have the exact timeline for the services to roll out, it is expected to arrive sometime later this year or next year.

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