Space-X CEO Elon Musk has hinted that thecompany’s satellite broadband service could soon come to India. A Twitter userTryonset asked Musk when Starlink service would be launching in India to whichMusk replied saying that he was waiting for the regulatory approval.
“Dear Elon you when are launching Starlinkservices in India ..? We and our existing Customers waiting for wirelessinternet services,” The Twitter user with username Tryonset asked. Musk repliedsaying, “Just figuring out the regulatory approval process.”
Starlink will allow users access to theInternet via the constellation of SpaceX’s mini-satellites. As of now, thecompany has not confirmed the exact timeline on when we can expect the serviceto be launched in India, so we will have to wait a while longer to know more.
What is Starlink?
Starlink aims to bring high-speed internet toregions where connectivity has typically been a challenge.
Unbounded by traditional groundinfrastructure, Starlink can deliver high-speed broadband internet to locationswhere access has been unreliable or completely unavailable.
The price for the internet service is anupfront cost of $499 (Rs 37,000 approx) for hardware and a monthly cost of $99(Rs 7000 approx) for internet service.
How does it Work?
Starlink uses a network of low orbitalsatellites which were put in space by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
With lower satellites, the latency isreduced, which helps improve online buffering, gaming and video callingquality.
Interestingly, the working of Starlink isquite similar to TV cable services. To install Starlink, a dish has to bemounted by the user which receives signals from what is called a minisatellite.
As of June 2021, there are over 1,500Starlink active satellites, making Starlink the largest satellite constellationaround Earth.
How is Starlink Different from TraditionalInternet?
What sets Starlink apart from traditionalinternet services we have in our households is that it is a satellite-basedinternet service.
What this means is that Starlink requires anunobstructed view of the sky in order to function.
Most of the internet users in India rely onfibre-based technology, which gives higher speed as compared to satelliteinternet.
However, what gives Starlink's internetservices an edge is that it does not need any wired connections, and can beeasily accessed from anywhere around the globe.