Satellite communication (Satcom) enables the transmission of data and voice through satellites, especially in areas where laying fiber-optic cables is impractical. It is particularly valuable in remote, mountainous, or disaster-prone regions where traditional infrastructure is expensive or impossible to deploy.
Starlink has been attempting to enter the Indian satellite broadband market since 2021. However, the company had started accepting pre-orders before receiving regulatory approval, prompting the government to instruct it to refund customers. Currently, Starlink operates in over 125 countries.
Meanwhile, the application from Jeff Bezos-owned Amazon Kuiper is still pending approval. Apple’s Satcom partner Globalstar is also among the global players reportedly exploring opportunities to offer satellite broadband services in India.
In a recent development, Starlink has partnered with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to enable seamless Aadhaar-based customer verification for its services.
