When Will Starlink Internet Launch In India: Release Date, Speed, Price Expectations
Elon Musk’s dream internet project Starlink is already making rounds on the web and is currently being used by over 10,000 people. However, speaking of one of the biggest markets, when will we get SpaceX Starlink in India is the question many are asking.
So, in this article, we’ll talk about the Starlink India release date and what are the hurdles that are stopping it based on the information that we currently have.
When will Starlink arrive in India?
The Starlink internet service is scheduled to arrive in 2022. We now have an official word from SpaceX and the company says it will begin limited testing of its service in India by next year. The Startlink internet is now available for pre-order.
This will mark the second win for Elon Musk as his electric car company Tesla is also setting up an R&D center in Bangalore, India.
As per various reports from last year, SpaceX has been waiting for the Indian government’s regulatory and policy barriers to get lifted in order to bring its satellite-powered internet service to India.
Last year, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) released a paper on improving the nation’s broadband infrastructure and speed, to which SpaceX made some recommendations. Currently, policies don’t allow non-Indian companies to provide satellite-based communication in India.
What areas in India will get Starlink internet?
While we have a rough estimation of the release date, you can now check what regions in India are eligible to get the Starlink internet. You can visit the SpaceX website and enter your pin code to know whether you can avail of the satellite internet.
If we talk about the U.S., U.K., and Canada, the beta version of Starlink is only available to people living in 45 to 53 degrees latitude regions. Hence, it is possible that the initial offering would be limited to a particular latitude range.
What will be the speed and price of Starlink internet in India?
SpaceX has announced that the Starlink internet is now available for pre-order at $99 (refundable) which is roughly Rs 7000 in India currency. However, we are yet to hear about the monthly subscription plans and hardware cost.
Again, for reference on Starlink internet price, as part of the Better Than Beta offering made in the US and Canada, the service requires a $499 (Rs 36,407) one-time equipment charge for the Starlink Kit. It is followed by a $99 (Rs 7,223) monthly subscription fee. If you choose to terminate the connection, the installation fee will be refunded after you surrender the Starlink Kit.
Considering the internet plans available in India, these costs are way above what many people can afford. Hence, it remains to be seen whether Starlink in India will launch with similar price figures or offer a discount. Still, in the long run, the Starlink internet would eliminate high costs linked to conventional broadband such as laying down internet cables.
As far as Starlink’s internet speed is concerned, the service currently offers between 50 to 150 Mbps to users with latency between 20ms to 40ms. So we can expect India to get get similar or better speed when it arrives.
SpaceX has said that these numbers will improve as it’s continuously upgrading the Starlink network, which currently has over 1,000 satellites deployed in space. It’s adding more satellites, ground stations, and improving its networking software, data speed, uptime, and latency. By summer 2021, users can expect the latency to be between 16ms to 19ms.
How to pre-order Starlink Internet In India right now?
As mentioned above, SpaceX will begin Startlink initial rollout by 2022. One important thing to note is that the pre-order is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, meaning the slots might dry out if you don’t act fast.
You can follow these simple steps to pre-order Starlink Beta service in India.
- Open the Starlink website in your browser.
On the website, you need to enter your Pincode to check whether it will be available in your area. You can also use a Plus Code to pinpoint your location. Then click on Order Now.
- Fill in your details and click on Place Deposit.
On the next page, you need to enter your name, email, phone number, and credit card details to make the payment.
You will receive a confirmation mail from Starlink after completing the process. A $99 Starlink Beta deposit fee will be charged from your credit card which is fully refundable.
So, this is all we know about having Starlink in India. Don’t forget to hop on to this page in the future to get the latest updates regarding the Starlink release date and price.
