Elon Musk's Starlink to launch Internet services in India within two months, offers one-month free trial. Details here
Elon Musk's satellite internet service Starlink is gearing up to start operations in India within the next two months after receiving a licence last week, reported ANI.
Starlink is the third company to get a licence from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Before Starlink, the DoT had approved the operations of Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio to provide services in the country.
As part of the brand's launch strategy, Starlink plans to offer a complimentary one-month trial period with each device purchase, allowing customers to test the service before starting regular monthly payments, said ANI.
The company has also finalised its pricing structure for the Indian market, setting the cost of the required satellite dish device at approximately ₹ 33,000. Customers are expected to be charged ₹ 3,000 for the monthly unlimited data plan, ANI reported.
The satellite internet service is preparing to shake up connectivity in India's remote and underserved regions, where traditional broadband infrastructure has been challenging to establish or simply non-existent, as per the report.
Starlink's low Earth orbit satellite constellation promises to deliver high-speed internet access to far-flung locations previously unreachable by conventional terrestrial networks.
ANI reported that the pricing structure remains consistent with Starlink's regional strategy, as the device costs remain the same as neighbouring countries. In Bangladesh, the Starlink device is priced at ₹ 33,000, while Bhutan maintains the same ₹ 33,000 price point for the equipment.
Starlink currently operates in over 100 countries, offering both residential and roaming plans. In most regions, the residential service is divided into two categories: Residential Lite, designed for light usage and smaller households, and Residential, suited for larger households with higher data needs, according to Financial Express.
Earlier this year, the company signed pacts with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio and Sunil Bharti Mittal's Bharti Airtel, which are the largest telecom firms of India.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
More Starlink satellites are falling, and it's because of the sun: Here's how
Double trouble! and his billion-dollar space company have both been facing a difficult time recently. While the former is a victim of his own actions, his company is being attacked by the king of the solar system – the sun. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to a recent study by a NASA research center, cited by media reports, the Sun's intensifying activity is affecting Earth's satellites, particularly those in SpaceX's Starlink constellation. As the Sun approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle, there is a surge in geomagnetic storms which is causing more and more Starlink satellites to deorbit and fall from the sky. On Monday, an expert warned that while the Starlink satellites typically burn-up during atmospheric re-entry, their de-orbiting phase presents significant risks, as their unpredictable trajectories can create collision hazards for other spacecraft present in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). After their launch in 2019, SpaceX satellites began their atmospheric re-entry in 2020 when two satellites fell from the sky. However, in the progressive years, more and more such satellites have fallen. In 2021, 78 satellites fell, in 2022, 99 satellites fell; and in 2023, 88 fell. The figure surged even higher in 2024 when 316 Starlink satellites fell out of the sky, as per a report by a team led by space physicist Denny Oliviera of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, reported Science Alert. It was when the researchers analysed the 523 Starlink satellites that entered the Earth's atmosphere again between 2020 and 2024, that they figured out the clear correlation with solar behaviour. This was the period when the Sun escalated towards the peak of its activity cycle. "We clearly show that the intense solar activity of the current solar cycle has already had significant impacts on Starlink reentries," wrote the researchers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "This is a very exciting time in satellite orbital drag research, as the number of satellites in low-Earth orbit and the level of solar activity are at historic highs." What is the 11 year cycle? Image credits: Getty Images The solar cycle is an 11-year cycle of fluctuations in the Sun's activity, and currently it is at the peak of this cycle. This means a rise in solar activity and thus solar ejections, which has left the upper atmosphere heating up significantly. The added heat energy causes the atmosphere to expand, increasing the drag on spacecraft in low Earth orbit and making it difficult for them to maintain their trajectories. "This phenomenon is normal and is caused by atmospheric anomalies due to heightened solar activity. When solar activity intensifies, the upper boundary rises, increasing collisions between low-orbit satellites and atmospheric molecules, which accelerates orbital decay. The satellites gradually lose speed and eventually deorbit," Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Monday. Typically, high-value satellites have autonomous orbit adjustment capabilities that allow them to handle the impact of the solar activities. However, the Starlink satellites that have been designed as low-cost, high-density, mass-produced satellites have a weaker orbit control. According to Wang, Starlink satellites burn up quickly and thus are unlikely to become long-term space debris or hit Earth's surface. They just pose an ability to affect other low-orbit space launches.


Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Indian expats strike luck in UAE big ticket raffle, wins Dh150,000 each
After years of trying, Indian expats in the UAE win Dh150,000 each in the latest Big Ticket draw, with some sharing their winnings among friends/ Live Screen Grab As anticipation builds for the Dh25 million Big Ticket grand prize draw on July 3, five lucky individuals have already secured a windfall of Dh150,000 each in the latest round of winnings, among them, several Indian expatriates who have spent years in the UAE building lives, working hard, and hoping for a breakthrough. This month's Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw turned dreams into reality for a delivery rider, a businessman, a former UAE shop owner, and other long-time residents who placed their bets with persistence, patience, and a dash of hope. Kerala Delivery Rider Strikes Gold After Six Tries Abdulla Pulikkoor Mohammed, a 34-year-old delivery rider from Kerala, has been living in Abu Dhabi for the past nine years, supporting his family back in India. Despite having purchased only six Big Ticket entries, he hit the jackpot this time, sharing the winning ticket with a group of 12 friends. 'Receiving the winning call made me feel happy. I plan to split the prize money with my friends and use my share to clear some loans,' he told Khaleej Times . 'Big Ticket is truly doing wonders, and I believe everyone should take part.' His win is a reflection of how even modest participation, when shared and consistent, can lead to big rewards. Businessman From Kerala Wins in Just Seven Months Another Indian expat, Salihrahman Pallipadath, a 37-year-old businessman, has been living in Ajman for 15 years with his family. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo Though he first learned about Big Ticket two years ago, he only started buying tickets seven months ago, also as part of a group of 11 friends. 'Receiving the winning call was a great experience – I'm truly happy,' Pallipadath said. 'I plan to use the prize money to renew my company visa. I'll continue purchasing from Big Ticket, and I encourage others to do the same. It's a luck-based raffle, and everyone should keep trying.' His story is one of perseverance and optimism, especially significant in the face of everyday business pressures and long-term responsibilities as a UAE-based entrepreneur. Former Sharjah Shop Owner Wins After a Decade of Tries Babulal Gautam, a 68-year-old from Mumbai, India, is another Big Ticket success story. He lived in Sharjah in 2014, where he ran a shop before returning to Mumbai. He's been buying Big Ticket entries for ten years, a full decade of trying that finally paid off. 'I actually missed the winning call, but I saw the email and was overjoyed. I kept checking and rechecking to make sure it was real. After a whole decade of trying, it finally happened,' he said. Known for his practical outlook, Gautam shared a piece of advice for hopefuls: 'I'm more of a scientific person and don't believe in luck much, so I believe the first step to winning is to simply buy a ticket.' His long journey with the raffle is a reminder of the patience and persistence that many expats maintain in the face of uncertain rewards. Also among the Dh150,000 prize winners is Shaji Memana, another Indian expat originally from Kerala. Memana bought his winning ticket online, and the news of his win came as an unexpected joy. Countdown to the Dh25 Million Grand Prize The next major Big Ticket event is the live grand prize draw on July 3, where the staggering Dh25 million jackpot will be awarded. In addition to the main prize, three winners will take home Dh75,000 each. Leading up to the grand event, Big Ticket will also hold weekly E-draws, with upcoming dates as follows: Week 1: June 10 Week 2: June 17 Week 3: June 24 Week 4: July 1 With decades-long participation from the Indian community, especially among expats, Big Ticket continues to hold deep emotional and financial appeal. It offers not just a shot at fortune, but a moment of recognition and relief for thousands working hard across the UAE.


India Gazette
41 minutes ago
- India Gazette
IIM Raipur hosts Chintan Shivir 2.0, Chhattisgarh CM attend event
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 9 (ANI): Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur hosted Chintan Shivir 2.0 on Monday in collaboration with the government of Chhattisgarh. In the 2-day residential program, the cabinet ministers, including the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai engaged on this dynamic platform for introspection, strategic dialogue, and policy innovation, aimed at accelerating the state's inclusive and sustainable development, according to the release. The people who attended the event, including the Chhattisgarh CM, engaged in an intensive and collaborative dialogue on critical governance challenges, reform priorities, and strategic development roadmaps. In his address, CM Sai stated 'Chintan Shivir 2.0, conducted through the collaboration of IIM Raipur and the Chhattisgarh Department of Good Governance, was a successful initiative where cabinet members were introduced to relevant topics that will help in running the government more efficiently. The topics chosen and the speakers were remarkable, and their teachings will greatly support us in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.' Meanwhile, Ram Kumar Kakani, IIM Raipur's director said, 'We are honored to facilitate this exchange of ideas among policymakers and thought leaders. Chintan Shivir 2.0 is a reflection of our belief that academic institutions must go beyond classrooms and actively engage in real-world governance and leadership challenges. This platform not only fosters collaborative thinking between policymakers and scholars but also aligns with our larger mission of creating evidence-based, inclusive, and future-ready public systems. We are proud to support the Government of Chhattisgarh in its journey towards sustainable, citizen-centric governance and the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.' During the IIM Raipur retreat, Chhattisgarh state ministers stressed the need for a culture-sensitive development model combining local traditions to ensure sustainable prosperity in post-Naxal Chhattisgarh, including with fiscal discipline to cut compulsory expenditure, raise capital outlays, and aim for 12 per cent annual growth is needed to realize the vision of a developed state and India by 2047. The ministers stressed that leaders must prioritise long-term societal outcomes over short-term gains, demonstrating transformational leadership through personal accountability and ethical governance rooted in cultural values. In the state, fostering cultural unity was highlighted as essential for national integration and building social capital. Multiple academicians and experts from premier institutions including Ravindra H Dholakia, Professor Emeritus at IIM Ahmedabad; Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore; Uday Mahurkar, former Central Information Commissioner and senior journalist; and Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, former Rajya Sabha MP and President of ICCR, graced the events and had insightful discussions. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, a leading health policy expert and advisor to the government, and Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the PM's Economic Advisory Council, also contributed their subject matter perspectives. The program included sessions on 'Seva, Sankalp, aur Seekh' (Service, Resolve, and Learning), and concluded with the inauguration of the 'Sushasan Vatika' (Good Governance Garden) via a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. (ANI)