Source: TH
Context: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has granted a license to Elon Musk’s Starlink to begin satellite internet services in India.
- Starlink becomes the third company after Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications to receive this approval.
About Starlink:
- What is Starlink?
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- Starlink is a satellite-based broadband internet system developed by SpaceX.
- It aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet globally, especially in rural and remote regions.
- Parent Company: SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) founded by Elon Musk in 2002.
- How Starlink Works?
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- Operates through a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites positioned at about 550 km altitude.
- Ground stations transmit data to satellites, which relay it back to user terminals on Earth using radio signals.
- Satellites are equipped with laser links for inter-satellite communication, forming a global internet mesh.
- Key Features of Starlink:
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- High-Speed Internet: Delivers speeds up to 150 Mbps, with plans to double in future updates.
- Low Latency: Offers latency as low as 20–25 milliseconds, ideal for streaming and video calls.
- Advanced Technology: Equipped with optical space lasers, argon-powered ion thrusters, and flat-panel antennas.
- Rapid Deployment: Uses Falcon 9 rockets to deploy satellites regularly, keeping the network updated.
- Global Coverage: Planned expansion of 42,000 LEO satellites, ensuring service even in the most isolated regions.
- Significance of Starlink for India:
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- Enhances digital inclusion in underserved and remote rural areas.
- Reduces dependence on fibre and mobile networks in disaster-prone or geographically challenging terrains.
- Boosts competition in India’s broadband ecosystem, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.
- Positions India as a key market in the global satellite internet race.
