SpaceX has secured agreements with Airtel and Jio to distribute Starlink, its satellite internet service in India.

• The final rollout is subject to regulatory approvals from the Indian government.

About Satellite Internet

• Definition: A type of wireless internet connection that uses satellites orbiting the Earth to provide broadband services.
• Key Advantage: Especially beneficial in remote and rural areas where traditional fiber, DSL, or cable connections are unavailable.
• Working Mechanism: Unlike fiber-optic or mobile networks that rely on ground infrastructure, satellite internet beams data from space-based satellites to user terminals on Earth.

Types of Satellite Internet

• Geostationary Orbit (GEO) Satellite Internet: Satellites positioned at 35,786 km above Earth.
  • Covers large areas but has high latency (~600ms), making it slower for real-time applications.
  • Example: VSAT networks like HughesNet, Viasat.
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Internet: Satellites positioned at 500-2,000 km altitude.
  • Offers lower latency (~20-50ms) and higher speeds compared to GEO satellites.
  • Example: Starlink, OneWeb, Amazon Kuiper.

Significance of Satellite Internet

• Improving Access: Enables connectivity in rural, remote, and underserved regions where terrestrial infrastructure is limited.
• Connectivity During Disasters: Provides emergency internet access during natural disasters.
  • Starlink supported Tonga after a massive volcano eruption and tsunami.
• Military Applications: Facilitates secure communication between military bases, aircraft, ships, and drones.
  • Satellite internet services were used by Ukraine to deploy drones in war.
• Bridging the Digital Divide: Helps expand education, healthcare, and business opportunities in internet-scarce areas.

Starlink Satellite Internet Service

• Starlink is Constellation of approximately 7,086 Starlink satellites in orbit.
• Advanced Technology: Each satellite contains 3 space lasers  called Optical Intersatellite Links (ISLs) operating at up to 200 Gbps, forming a global internet mesh.
• Communication Bands: Uses 5 advanced Ku-band phased array antennas and 3 dual-band (Ka-band and E-band) antennas to provide high-bandwidth connectivity.

How Does Satellite Internet Work?

• A user device (satellite dish) sends data to a satellite in orbit.
• Satellite relays the data to a ground station connected to the internet.
• Data travels through the global internet network.
• Response data follows the reverse path back to the user’s device.

Possible Implications of SpaceX entry on the Indian Telecom Sector

• Expansion of Digital Connectivity: The deal accelerates India’s digital infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas where fiber connectivity is difficult.
  • Supports government initiatives like Digital India and BharatNet.
• Policy and Regulatory Challenges: The deal depends on government approvals, including spectrum allocation and security clearances. Could spark policy debates on spectrum licensing between satellite and telecom companies.
• Potential Disruption to Existing Telecom Models: Satellite internet eliminates the need for extensive ground infrastructure, which could redefine business models in the telecom industry. Could force telecom operators to diversify their services to remain competitive.