Early Starlink adopters are getting a small but welcome surprise from SpaceX. Customers who signed up during Starlink’s early rollout in 2020 are now being offered a free router upgrade, as the company prepares to wind down software support for its original hardware.

SpaceX has begun notifying users who still rely on the first-generation Starlink router (UTR-201), which shipped with the earliest round dish kits before the transition to flat-dish terminals and the Gen 2 router in 2021. According to the company, software updates for the Gen 1 router will be discontinued in the near future as part of broader efforts to improve network security, performance, and long-term reliability.

While the router won’t stop working outright, SpaceX warns that continuing to use it after support ends could come with drawbacks. These include the loss of security updates, increased exposure to vulnerabilities, and the possibility of reduced compatibility as the Starlink network evolves.

To ease that transition, SpaceX is offering affected customers a free Starlink Router Mini. The device normally sells for $40 and represents a meaningful upgrade over the original router. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6, and mesh networking, allowing users to expand coverage by adding additional units later—something the Gen 1 router doesn’t support.

A support page outlining the program was quietly published last month, with customer notifications reportedly starting in November. The page also walks users through the replacement process, including instructions for pairing the Router Mini with older first-generation Starlink dishes.

For long-time Starlink subscribers, the move ensures continued performance and security without added cost, while allowing SpaceX to gradually retire aging hardware without disrupting service.

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(Source)

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Update: Starlink representative in India, Lauren Dreyer, confirmed that the Starlink India website is currently not live, and the said Rs 8,600 price is dummy test data published due to a glitch on the website. That implies the company is yet to launch its services in India.

Original story continues….

Elon Musk–run Starlink is finally going residential in India. Five months after securing approval from India’s space regulator, the company today revealed the pricing for the Indian market on its official website.

Starlink is launching with a single residential plan in the country. It’s priced at Rs 8,600 per month, but, as with most satellite internet setups, there’s an additional hardware cost. 

Starlink’s network relies on its own proprietary equipment, so you’ll need to buy the hardware kit to get started. The bundle includes the antenna, router, cables, and power supply, and it’s priced at Rs 34,000 in India. As a result, the initial setup costs total Rs 42,000. 

Just like Starlink’s residential plans in other countries, the Indian tier promises unlimited data, 99.9 percent uptime, and support for all-weather operation. The company is also offering a 30-day trial period.

Naturally, Starlink costs more than a standard home broadband connection. But it’s also a fundamentally different kind of service. Running the internet from space comes with its own set of trade-offs and its own price tag.

Additionally, while Starlink has revealed pricing for its residential plan, the cost of its business tier is still under wraps. The company hasn’t shared details yet, but we’ll likely see that information surface in the coming days, possibly alongside a clearer rollout schedule for the service in India.

Starlink is not alone in this race

So far, India’s Department of Telecommunications has cleared three companies to move forward with satellite communication services. Alongside Starlink, Bharti Group–backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio’s satellite arm have also received the green light. All three are still waiting for spectrum allocation before they can begin commercial rollout.

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Maharashtra has signed a Letter of Intent with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd to bring satellite internet to remote and underserved areas. This is the first agreement of its kind in India. The move is part of the Digital Maharashtra mission to expand broadband access across the state.

The deal was signed in Mumbai by Starlink vice-president Lauren Dreyer and state IT Secretary Virendra Singh. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was present at the event.

The project will focus on tribal districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim and Dharashiv. These areas have limited or no internet access. Once Starlink gets the needed approvals from the Department of Telecommunications, its low-Earth orbit satellites will provide internet coverage to these regions.

The satellite internet will connect tribal schools, Aaple Sarkar centres, primary health centres, forest outposts, coastal police stations and disaster control rooms. It will also improve connectivity along the Mumbai to Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway and in coastal development zones.

A joint working group will manage a 90-day pilot rollout. Progress will be reviewed every 30, 60 and 90 days. The pilot will operate under the direction of the Chief Minister.

Fadnavis called the deal a step toward ending the digital gap in the state. He said the plan would bring internet to every remote village, school and health centre in Maharashtra.

Lauren Dreyer said Starlink’s goal is to bring fast internet to places traditional networks do not reach. She called the partnership a first-of-its-kind effort.

Starlink is a unit of SpaceX and runs the largest network of low-Earth orbit satellites. The company is planning a full commercial launch in India by early 2026. It is building gateway stations across the country to support this rollout.

The pilot in Maharashtra will show how satellite internet can help in education, telemedicine, emergency communication and public safety. It also supports other state programs like EV development, coastal planning and disaster readiness.

(Source)

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Back in 2022, Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 series with support for the life-saving satellite connectivity feature. This has since become a staple for iPhones, returning on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 lineup as well. It seems like Apple is now working on improving this technology with a secret partnership with SpaceX and T-Mobile.

Apple joins hands with SpaceX & T-Mobile for Starlink connectivity for iPhones

A new Bloomberg report claimed that the Cupertino based giant has been working with SpaceX and T-Mobile in secret to bring Starling satellite connectivity to the iPhones. This likely takes advantage of the partnership between T-Mobile and SpaceX that was also announced back in 2022. The report further adds that T-Mobile has already begun testing this feature for a limited number of iPhone users.

It is currently in the beta phase so it likely isn’t a polished experience at the moment. However, the feature is currently available to users that are running iPhones with iOS 18.3, which was recently released earlier this week. In an official note for the T-Mobile Starlin beta, the telecom brand stated that “You can now stay connected by texting via satellite from virtually anywhere. To start experiencing coverage beyond, please update to iOS 18.3.”

For those unaware, the carrier had previously stated that Samsung Galaxy phones would be getting Starlink communication support. The collaboration between T-Mobile and Starlink with Apple only supports sending messages via satellite communication. However, there are plans for bringing voice calls and data sometime in the future. In the past, the iPhone maker was rumored to be working with GlobalStart for its satellite connectivity feature on its smartphones. But now, the partnership might be expanding with T-Mobile who claimed that all users will get access to this feature later this year.

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Following its innovative “cellphone tower in space” announcement, Elon Musk’s Starlink is now working on something more grounded. While the company has its expertise in satellite communication and internet connectivity, it might be launching a new WiFi 6 router soon. So here are all the details.

Starlink WiFi 6 Router certified on FCC and IMDA

SpaceX’s Starlink is apparently working on a new WiFi 6 router, which was spotted on the IMDA and FCC database. The IMDA certification revealed that it carries the UTR-232 model number and was listed as a low power WLAN device. On the other hand, the FCC listing confirmed that it will utilize the same wireless bands as other WiFi 6 routers.

It also adds that the upcoming router features two built in LAN ports and will house two power adapters, namely UTP-231L and UTP-232C. The UTR-232 Wi-Fi 6 router is likely a finalized version of the UTR-231 Wi-Fi 6 router, which is a Gen 3 mesh router. To recall, the UTR-231 is expected to be an accessory for existing Starlink customers to boost their connectivity with Starlink’s coverage.

In the past, Starlink’s dish came bundled with the Gen 1 and Gen 2 WiFi routers that only supported the WiFi 5 standard. The upcoming Gen 3 mesh router supporting WiFi 6 means that users can expect much faster broadband speeds. Apart from this, users also gain access to faster broadband speeds, improved energy efficiency on mobile phone devices, and lesser bandwidth congestion. This is all the information we have at the moment, so stay tuned for more updates.

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Elon Musk aims to change how we connect to the internet with Starlink. This service, launched a few years back, offers an accessible internet option for underserved regions via satellites orbiting Earth. However, the term “easy” here is relative because it still requires antennas and some equipment to transmit the incoming signal to your devices. Fortunately, this situation is changing because Starlink is launching the first ‘cellphone towers in space’ designed for use with smartphones.

Elon Musk’s Starlink and the Future of Internet Access

SpaceX (which at this point operates as a taxi service between space and Earth) announced the the launch of 21 new Starlink satellites. Of course, this news isn’t too surprising, considering both companies are owned by Elon Musk, and this is essentially what allowed Starlink to exist in the first place. However, six of these new satellites serve a rather unique purpose “to destroy major mobile network companies”.

Actually, these are the initial steps of Elon Musk’s ambitious project, which is currently in the testing phase. Satellites capable of reaching a maximum speed of 7 Mbps will likely serve in specific regions like North America and be used for tasks requiring low internet speeds, such as transmitting text messages. However, if you recall, Musk initially announced Starlink in 2019 promising affordable unlimited internet, unlimited phone calls, and unlimited internet access. Therefore, it’s possible that this will evolve significantly in the future.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk mentioned that the satellites would enable mobile phone connectivity globally. However, he pointed out a substantial bandwidth limitation, stating, “This only supports around 7Mb per beam, and the beams are quite large.” Musk clarified that although this offers an excellent solution for areas without cellular service, it doesn’t significantly compete with current land-based cellular networks.

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China has accelerated its efforts in the space technology sector, marking a new chapter in the global race for satellite-based internet services. This development comes as China’s G60 megaconstellation satellite initiative in Shanghai moves into production, directly challenging SpaceX‘s Starlink program.

The G60 satellites will go up against Tesla’s Starlink

Located in the G60 Starlink industrial base, the new digital-production plant in Shanghai, backed by the municipal government, has started rolling out commercial satellites. This advancement is part of China’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in the commercial satellite market, which is increasingly viewed as a key area in technological innovation and international competition.

With plans to launch and operate at least 108 satellites by 2024, the factory aims to establish a competitive global industry chain by 2027. The factory’s impressive production capacity of 300 satellites per year marks a significant step forward, drastically reducing the satellite building time from months to just a day and a half.

However, it’s important to note that China’s production rate is still behind SpaceX’s Starlink, which produces six satellites daily. This gap highlights the competitive nature of the sector and the challenges China faces in catching up with established players.

China’s ambitious G60 Starlink project, alongside the Guo Wang national network, showcases the country’s determination to match and potentially surpass Elon Musk‘s Starlink. The G60 project, which began in 2016, has gained momentum with the Shanghai government’s support and the strategic importance of the Yangtze River Delta region’s high-tech manufacturing capabilities.

With the aerospace information industry expected to grow significantly by 2025, China’s foray into this sector is more than just a technological endeavor; it’s a strategic move in the global economic landscape. The G60 megaconstellation is not only a feat in satellite technology but also a critical component in an industrial chain that includes data services, artificial intelligence, and deep learning, essential for processing vast amounts of data from satellites.

This development points towards the growing importance of satellite-based internet services and the intensifying global competition to dominate this burgeoning market. As China continues to push forward, the world watches to see how this race will shape the future of global internet connectivity and technological supremacy.

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In a move that could revolutionize internet access in India, Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite constellation is poised to receive a license for satellite communications operations. This green light from the Indian government paves the way for Starlink to offer its high-speed internet services, voice calls, and messaging capabilities to individuals and organizations across the vast nation. Here the derails…

Elon Musk’s Starlink set to get licence for Satcom ops

This landmark decision comes after Starlink successfully addressed the government’s concerns regarding data storage and transfer norms. The company has committed to complying with India’s data regulations, ensuring that user information remains within the country’s borders.

Starlink’s entry into the Indian market is expected to ignite fierce competition with existing players like OneWeb and Reliance Jio. However, Starlink holds a distinct advantage with its extensive global network of satellites, promising to provide reliable and ubiquitous connectivity even in remote and underserved areas.

The granting of this license marks a significant milestone for India’s telecommunications landscape. Starlink’s satellite-based internet services will not only bridge the digital divide and empower millions of Indians but also generate new employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth. As Starlink’s constellation expands and its technology matures, it has the potential to transform India into a global hub for innovation and digital connectivity.

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Starlink is a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX that aims to provide high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas. The network consists of a constellation of small, low-Earth orbit satellites that work together to provide broadband internet access. As of September 2022, the constellation consists of over 3,000 satellites, with plans to deploy nearly 12,000 in total. The service has over 500,000 subscribers as of June 2022, but Elon Musk wants more. Apparently, SpaceX is working on allowing users to connect their smartphones directly to the Starlink network.

SpaceX’s Starlink: Revolutionizing smartphone connectivity with direct satellite connections

In order to use SpaceX’s Starlink, a user needs to have certain equipment, such as an antenna and receiver. However, SpaceX is working on technology that will allow users to connect their smartphones directly to the Starlink network, eliminating the need for specialized equipment. This will make it easier for users to access high-speed internet from space and take advantage of Starlink’s capabilities.

SpaceX has filed an application with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to equip some of its second-generation Starlink satellites with “direct-to-cellular” hardware. This will allow users to connect their smartphones directly to the Starlink network, providing them with high-speed internet access from space.

SpaceX has already launched 3,500 first-generation Starlink satellites, and has received approval from the FCC to launch 7,500 more “Gen2” satellites before the end of the decade. With the new “direct-to-cellular” hardware, the company hopes to provide voice, messaging, and basic web browsing services to users with theoretical peak speeds of up to 18.3 Mbps on the downlink.

The application is a key step towards SpaceX’s goal of offering service for smartphones via T-Mobile. In August, the company announced plans to connect the two data networks in an effort to eradicate mobile dead zones in the US.

Other companies, such as Texas-based AST SpaceMobile, are also working on offering space-based mobile broadband services. However, SpaceX’s large constellation of satellites and its partnership with T-Mobile give it a significant advantage in the race to provide reliable internet access from space. If all goes according to plan, SpaceX could offer “full and continuous” smartphone coverage with 2,000 equipped Gen2 satellites as soon as 2024.

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(via)

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SpaceX has just placed a massive order for an advertisement package on Twitter. This ad campaign from Elon Musk’s aerospace based company will be run for the company’s Starlink, satellite internet connectivity based brand.

Interestingly, Elon Musk had also recently acquired the popular microblogging website for a 44 billion US Dollars deal. Now, the billionaire’s aerospace company is buying an ad campaign on Twitter in Spain and Australia. These large ad packages were bought to promote the company’s satellite based internet brand called Starlink. This ad campaign is apparently called “takeover” and will be promoted on Twitter in the two regions. According to a CNBC report, purchasing one of these advertisement packages will cost one a massive sum of 250,000 US Dollars or more.

Furthermore, it would also offer buyers the right to put their brand name on top of the main Twitter timeline for one whole day. This news arrives from one current and former Twitter employee that wished to stay anonymous. So now, Twitter users can expect to see the Starlink brand ad for the first three times that they open the application on the day or even on days of the planned takeover campaign. But this is still limited to just Australia and Spain.

For those unaware, Starlink is an internet service provider that offers connectivity through a constellation of satellites that beam internet down to paying subscribers. SpaceX developed Starlink with the aim of offering high speed internet connectivity to people in remote regions that suffer from poor internet due to a lack of cable or optic fiber infrastructure.

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Starlink, the SpaceX-run satellite internet provider, has announced that the company will be introducing a data cap for internet usage for all of its customers in the United States and Canada, which will go into effect in December this year.

The introduction of the data cap is a shift from the company’s previous stance of providing unlimited data without any strings attached. With this change, the company joins the list of other internet service providers that have soft limits on internet usage.

The company will offer 1TB “Priority Access” monthly cap for data usage between 7 AM and 11 PM starting in December 2022. Once the user crosses the data limit, the speed will be decreased to “Basic Access.” This is similar to what some of the phone network carriers do to deprioritize data when the network is busy. The regular user with typical usage may not notice any major difference in terms of usage, but those users who depend on sustained performance may not be happy with this new policy.

Internet usage can become quite expensive if the user wants to continue having Priority Access beyond 1TB, as the user will need to pay 25 cents per GB of data. This means that the user needs to spend another $250 to get an additional 1TB of data. With those numbers, it would be cheaper to get another connection if the cost of an additional terminal isn’t an issue.

Also, users of RV, Portability, and “Best Effort” don’t have any Priority Access. Fixed business service has peak-hour caps that range from 500GB to 3TB, and any additional data will cost $1 per gigabyte. Mobility users don’t get any Priority Access, while Premium/Maritime users have a data cap of 1TB and 5TB, respectively, and will have to pay $2 per gigabyte of additional data.

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If you were to ever wander into the deep woods or traveled to the middle of an ocean, chances are that you will have no cellular signal, meaning you can’t access the Internet and you can’t make calls unless you have a satellite communicator with you. And the main reason for the lack of cellular signals in places like the forest and the ocean is because telecommunications providers don’t have cell towers built in the area to provide you cell service to access the Internet or to make calls.

However, in 2022, technology has matured far enough that humans have finally found a solution to tackle the problem of providing cell service even in remote places that were previously unreachable by traditional cell signals. 

In a live event today, US telecommunications provider, T-Mobile alongside the globally renowned aerospace company, SpaceX, introduced Starlink V2, the satellites that can directly transmit cell signals to mobile phones and Tesla cars from space.

The announcement today was mainly focused on Starlink V2’s implementation in the US with telecommunications provider T-Mobile. Under the new plan which they dubbed Coverage Above and Beyond, both companies will establish a new network using T-Mobile’s existing mid-band spectrum across the United States. 

The main advantage of using an existing spectrum is that the majority of smartphones on its existing network will be able to connect to the new network without any need for new equipment.

Leveraging on SpaceX’s Starlink V2 satellites, the new network aims to eliminate cellular dead zones across the country. Whether it be from the middle of Death Valley to the Great Smokey Mountains, the newly established network aims to provide cell phone connectivity every time, everywhere.

Chief Engineer of SpaceX, Elon Musk says that for the new network, the deployment of Starlink V2 satellites will work great for texting and voice calls but not for usages that require high bandwidth. This is mainly because each cell zone under the new network can only deliver 2 to 4Mbps. 

Although SpaceX’s Starlink V2 technology is only currently implemented in the USA, both SpaceX and T-Mobile shared their vision for expanding Coverage Above and Beyond globally, issuing an open invitation to the world’s carriers to collaborate for truly global connectivity. And in a tweet posted by SpaceX CEO himself, Elon Musk, the man hopes to be able to eliminate cellular dead zones once and for all, worldwide.

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Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has shared a warning that there is a high change for its Starlink satellite broadband system to be “targeted” in Ukraine that has been facing an ongoing crisis due to the Russian invasion.

The warning from the executive arrives after an internet security researched warned that devices that use satellite communications could potentially become “beacons” that Russia could use to target for airstrikes. Thus, Elon Musk tweet read “Important warning: Starlink is the only non Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution.”

Furthermore, he asked users to “turn on Starlink only when needed and place antenna away as far away from people as possible.” He added that users should place “light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection.” Last week, the senior SpaceX official announced that the company had activated its services in Ukraine and SpaceX was sending more terminals to the country. This announcement arrived as a response to a Ukraine government official who had requested Musk to provide the nation with additional Starlink stations.

Ukraine Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has since thanked Starlink for “keeping our cities connected and emergency services saving lives!” Although, the government official said that the country needs generators to keep Starlink service online due to Russian attacks on the nation’s infrastructure. This also led Elon Musk to release an update that reduced Starlin’s peak power consumption.

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Starlink, the internet service provider from Tesla & SpaceX founder Elon Musk, has apparently lost a number of its satellites following a geomagnetic storm, with around 40 being destroyed.

According to an official blog post, the company stated that around 40 of its 49 Starlink satellites that were launched on 3rd February 2022 have been destroyed because of the geomagnetic storm. This storm has caused “up to 50 percent higher drag than during previous launches,” which prevented the newly launched satellites from reaching their optimal orbit around the Earth. Despite Starlink’s best efforts of reducing damages, 40 of the satellites ended up burning up in the Earth’s atmosphere and were unable to reach their proper destination.

For those unaware, SpaceX’s ISP unit had recently announced that it has sent more than 2,000 satellites and had planned to launch over 12,000 more. So while the loss of 40 might not impact the overall figure, it is still quite an expensive loss, with almost all of the Falcon 9 rocket’s payload being destroyed. Interestingly, the company took this chance to also showcase the minute impact that its satellites cause in the skies.

Space debris and clutter has been a growing concern in recent years, with Starlink’s satellites also facing criticism due to plans to launch thousands of satellites. Apart from this, astronomers had also called out the brand for disrupting images of the night sky since these satellite end up leaving streaks across space images. This means that it is harder for astronomers to detect possibly dangerous asteroids.

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Elon Musk and SpaceX have recently come under fire from Chinese citizens, with people criticizing the individual and his space faring company online. The latest backlash in China arrives after its satellites nearly crashed into the Chinese space station.

According to a CNBC report, SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk are being criticized after satellites from Starlink Internet Services had two near misses with the Chinese space station earlier this year. For those unaware, Starlink is an ISP (Internet Service Provider) unit of SpaceX. The news of the near crashes arrives after China recently submitted a document to the UN space agency earlier this month.

In the document published on the website of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, China stated that “For safety reasons, the China Space Station implemented preventive collision avoidance control.” Unfortunately, the validity of the claim is yet to be confirmed and SpaceX has yet to respond to this matter publicly. Weibo users (a Chinese microblogging website similar to Twitter) even began criticizing the company, with one calling Starlink’s satellites “just a pile of space junk,” while another called it “American space warfare weapons.”

Over the years, the number of space debris and artificial satellites that are orbiting the Earth has grown. Thus, scientists have urged various governments to share data to reduce the risk of any dangerous accidents caused by potential collisions. As of right now, SpaceX alone has deployed nearly 2,000 satellites for its Starlink internet service. Notably, the latest backlash also arrives as Elon Musk’s Tesla has recently been caught up with a number of issues in China. These range from security risks to lawsuits over false advertising among others.

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Elon Musk’s Starlink has ended taking any bookings for its services in India following an order from the local government. The company has apparently been ordered to stop pre-bookings after the government of India has asked the firm to obtain the appropriate licenses before continuing its operations in the region.

The order from the Indian government had been shared last month through a public advisory. In other words, the satellite based internet service provider is still not licensed in the country. As per the advisory, the central government asked the public not to pay any amount to the Elon Musk backed company. Furthermore, the government also told Starlink to stop taking bookings for its satellite internet services “with immediate effect” in India.

Now, the official Starlink pre-bookings page now reads that the company “is not yet available in your area but as we launch more satellites, we continue to expand our coverage area. Please check back for future availability in your area.” Previously, the company was accepting bookings in the region for a refundable deposit of 99 US Dollars (roughly 7,400 US Dollars). To continue its operations in the country, the firm will have to acquire the appropriate license from the Department of Telecom.

Furthermore, the government has also asked the company to comply with the Indian regulatory framework prior to launching its service in India. For those unaware, Starlink had announced a couple of months prior that it will be launching its service in India, with its focus being on rural regions. We can expect the company to obtain the “requisite licenses” since it plans to launch its services across the globe.

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Tesla has just revealed that it currently has no plans to bring Starlink services to Mainland China. This means that the company’s electric vehicle charging stations and other services will still be based on networking provided by Chinese telecommunication operators.

The news was shared by a spokesperson from Tesla China, who stated that the company’s production and operation in Mainland China will strictly comply with Chinese laws and regulations. Furthermore, all Model 3 and Model Y EV models produced and sold in the region will also be manufactured as per Chinese standards, with approval by relevant government authorities. But, the spokerperson added that, “Starlink and its related supporting equipment will not be installed.”

For those unaware, Starlink is a separate satellite based company from Elon Musk. The company aims to launch small satellites to build a low Earth orbiting network to provide low latency broadband internet services all across the globe. Before it reaches a global scale, the company is testing its services in different nations.

One of these countries include India, where it aims on launching its services that will target rural regions. Notably, the services also aims on eliminating the reliance on ground stations through these laser equipped satellites. As of right now, the company has over 1,500 of these satellites orbiting the Earth and aims to raise this number even further.

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Starlink, which is a part of the SpaceX company led by Elon Musk, has registered its business in India as the company is preparing to apply for licenses from the local government for the internet service business.

Sanjay Bhargava, the country director for Starlink in India said: “SpaceX now has a 100 percent owned subsidiary in India. The name is SSCPL – Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited and the incorporation date is Nov 1, 2021.”

He also confirmed that the company will now start applying for licenses to start its broadband services as it applies for regulatory approval. It intends to start its satellite-based broadband services next year and had taken orders from customers earlier this year.

Initially, the company will be focusing on offering its services in ten rural Lok Sabha constituencies. The company claims the service is “ideally suited” in areas where connectivity is “unreliable or completely unavailable”.

Starlink is planning to offer 200,000 active terminals in over 160,000 districts by December 2022. It remains to be seen if the company is able to achieve that because the track record paints a different picture. As of August this year, the company had shipped 100,000 user terminals in 14 countries.

Sanjay Bhargava, a former PayPal executive, was hired to lead the India division of Starlink in October this year. Apart from him, the company has hired several key executives in India in recent months, including Parnil Urdhwareshe, who was previously overseeing AMD’s policy efforts in India.

For those who are unaware, Starlink is launching small satellites to build a low-Earth orbiting network to provide low-latency broadband internet services. It is aiming to serve rural communities in India and is working with Niti Aayog, an Indian think tank, to identify 12 districts in the country for the company’s initial deployment.

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Starlink, a satellite based company from Elon Musk, is planning on entering India to offer its internet services. A top official revealed that the company will focus on bringing its broadband connectivity to rural Lok Sabha constituencies first in the region.

According to a MoneyControl report, the satellite company is looking to hold virtual conversations with Members of Parliament, ministers and other top government officials about how broadband connectivity can change lives in rural areas. Furthermore, SpaceX’s satellite broadband unit also seeks to bring its own services in India from December 2022, with around 200,000 active terminals subject to permission from the local government.

Starlink Country Director for India Sanjay Bhargava stated that “In October I am also keen to have 30-minute virtual conversations with MPs, ministers, secretaries to GOI (government of India), or principal secretaries to states to see if they think 100 per cent broadband would help improve lives. We will probably focus on ten rural Lok Sabha constituencies for 80 per cent of the Starlink terminals shipped to India.” Previously, Bhargava has also said that the pre order from India has crossed 5,000 and the company was keen to work in rural areas for providing broadband services.

Starlink’s arrival in India would have it compete with local telecom operators like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea in broadband. Bhargava added that “”Most of this will be provided by terrestrial broadband, but the hard-to-serve areas will be handled by Satcom providers like Starlink. We look forward to the day a rural constituency in India can declare itself to be 100 percent broadband.”

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Unbridled by the constraints of traditional ground infrastructure, Starlink has the potential to deliver high-speed broadband internet to remote locations. With an aim to deliver services internationally, Starlink is now operational as a beta for the early birds and is continuously expanding. The only downside being in beta is the internet speed but it looks like that will be taken care of very soon. Responding to a query, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has claimed that Starlink satellite internet service will have the capability of data transfer as high as the speed of light. SpaceX plans to deploy laser-equipped satellites into orbit that will play a major role in eliminating the reliance on ground stations.

At present, the Starlink network relies on a dish, satellites, and ground stations. From what it looks like, the company is aiming to get rid of these ground stations that have proved to be a hindrance to fast data transfers due to the long time they take to communicate with the satellites. With lasers, the transmission speed, as Musk claims, is expected to be around 40% faster than what it usually is in optical fibers. As a result, we might witness blazing fast internet transfer capabilities without having the need to touch the ground.

Processing is not an issue. Lasers links alleviate ground station constraints, so data can go from say Sydney to London through space, which is ~40% faster speed of light than fiber & shorter path.

Also, no need for ground stations everywhere. Arctic will have great bandwidth!

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2021

Considering Musk’s statement and calculating the speed based on the existing speed with optical fiber, Starlink will be able to transfer data packets at 180,832 miles per second and it turns out that this speed is approximately 97% of the speed of light in a vacuum.

Musk has ensured that Starlink will soon cut down the ground station element from the whole of Arctic and provide enough bandwidths as well. Considering the fast-paced developments in the SpaceX camp, this doesn’t seem far-fetched. SpaceX plans to further increase the data capacity by three folds, reduce latencies to 50ms, and enhance coverage to polar regions with the help of the company’s second-generation satellites.

SpaceX is also accelerating the launch of a little above 1,200 Starlink satellites over the next few months but may face a little delay due to rocket oxidizer shortages and a tedious satellite manufacturing process.

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