However, the Center upheld the priority of Musk for administrative allocation in accordance with global practices. The announcement was made a day after Bharti Airtel signed a similar deal with SpaceX. Airtel has a remarkable appearance in satellite communication through its onewab project. In particular, the two telecom giants are taking a tough competition not only in the traditional broadband services but also in the satellite internet sector. SpaceX Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Gwne Shotwell said, “We appreciate Jio's commitment to pursue India's connectivity.” “We are eager to work with Jio and get more people, organizations and businesses from the Government of India to get an authority to provide access to the high-speed internet services of Starlink.”

Why is Starlinks necessary in India?

Although high-speed internet can be enjoyed from legendary companies like Jio and Airtel in urban areas, rural and remote areas still have a problem of poor or not equal connectivity. The internet rate in the country is 47%, causing more than 700 million people to remain without stable access. Starlink's low meaning orbit (Leo) satellite technology can be a game changer in the technology sector as it crosses the traditional infrastructure barriers by directly beaming the Internet from space.

This step proves beneficial for remote villages of the Himalayas, remote islands as well as isolated rural communities where optical fiber wire laying or cell towers seem to be impractical only. Reliance Jio Group CEO Matthew Oman said, “To ensure that every Indian, no matter where they live, have access to affordable and high-speed broadband, Jio's top priority. Our cooperation with SpaceX to bring Starlink in India strengthens our commitment and is a transformative step towards uninterrupted broadband connectivity for all.

What are the challenges? Starlink's success in India depends on two factors: First, Starlink's hardware is priced between ₹ 25,000- ₹ 35,000. To avail this service, monthly membership is between ₹ 5,000- ₹ 7,000, which is more than India's average broadband cost ₹ 700- ₹ 1,500 per month. Therefore SpaceX may have to tie up with either government -backed digital inclusion programs or start affordable pricing for Indian consumers. Secondly, regulatory obstacles remain a barrier. SpaceX will have to undergo spectrum allocation procedures, local data storage regulations, safety approval and landing rights. Earlier, the space technology giants have faced strong criticism in the country to accept pre-booking before obtaining an authorized license.