The race among three major companies—Elon Musk’s Starlink, Mukesh Ambani’s Jio, and Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel’s OneWeb—to launch satellite internet services in India. All three companies have received the necessary licenses and permissions from the Indian telecom department to begin their services.
Key Points About the Companies
- Starlink: The video notes that Starlink has global experience in providing satellite internet services and a large amount of capital. It also has the largest number of satellites in low-earth orbit, with over 4,000 currently and plans to increase that number to over 7,000. The company has also provided an estimated cost for its services, with a monthly fee of around ₹3,000 and a kit price of ₹33,000.
- Jio and Airtel: In contrast, these companies have extensive experience in the local Indian telecom market. They have also started building the necessary ground infrastructure and have a strong distribution network within the country.
The Indian Licensing Process
The complex and lengthy process of obtaining licenses and permissions in India is the main reason for the delay in launching satellite internet services. The process involves several stages, including obtaining a GMPCS license, an IN-SPACe license, and a trial spectrum.
Starlink is likely to be the first to launch its services in India, despite starting the licensing process later than Jio and Airtel. This is because Starlink is already fully prepared to start its services and has a clear timeline for its launch, with an expected start date in late 2025 or early 2026. Jio and Airtel have not yet provided any clarity on their launch dates or pricing.