Refer Report
Kochi: Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Star Link has been given final approval to operate in India. Consultations are underway to decide how much fee should be charged to grant permission without spectrum auction.
Meanwhile, the Cellular Operations Association of India strongly opposes the granting of licenses without bidding. They have informed the central government in writing that they will approach the court against it if permission is granted.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk listens to US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with business leaders in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 23, 2017. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP)
Companies including Jio and Airtel have paid one and a half lakh crore rupees to the central government in 2022 through the cellular spectrum auction. They fear that if the satellite spectrum comes without an auction, they will lose a lot.
But under Section 1B of the Central Telecom Act passed in December 2023, satellite internet can be sanctioned without bidding. Central Telecom officials pointed out that this has not been auctioned in any country in the world. The advantage is that they will get high-speed net and in 6 lakh villages in India, 27,000 villages where mobile phones and data are not yet available, with the coming of satellite. When the satellite is in space, the net can be found in the forest and sea.
Disruption – ‘Disruption’
Jio dominated when it came with Freedata. It became a huge disruption for other telecom companies in India. 10 out of 13 companies were closed. Indian companies are worried that the same fate will happen to them.
But telecom authorities point out that the concern is misplaced. AT&T has 11.5 crore internet users in America. Star Link came in 2019 but only 27 lakh users so far. Because dish antenna for satellite net costs more than 20,000 rupees. Rs 4000 per month is not affordable for everyone.
Musk’s star power
Elon Musk has 7000 satellites. Neither Ambani nor Airtel owner Sunil Bharti Mittal own satellites. But as per Jio’s deal with SES Luxembourg, a foreign satellite company, 50 Gbps can be made available. Airtel can get 25 Gbps through One Web Company.
Star Link? 600 Gbps reserved for India! There is no comparison. This is what scares Indian telecom companies.
Source: Malayalam