Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited recently launched India’s first satellite-based internet service, JioSpace Fiber, which is poised to revolutionize high-speed broadband connectivity in the country. This move has sparked comparisons with Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet service owned by SpaceX.
It’s never too early to ask this question – how they will impact the Indian telecom landscape?
Important context: JioSpace Fiber: A Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Solution…
JioSpace Fiber uses medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, which are located between 2,000 and 12,000 kilometers above Earth. This technology offers a balance between latency, speed, and coverage. While it has higher latency compared to low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites used by Starlink, JioSpace Fiber is expected to provide stronger coverage and faster speeds, up to 100 Mbps.
… vs. Starlink: A Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Solution
Starlink, on the other hand, uses low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which are located between 160 and 2,000 kilometers above Earth. This technology offers the lowest latency and highest speeds, up to 1 Gbps, but has a smaller coverage area compared to MEO satellites.
Key Differences and Impact on Indian Telecom
- Latency: Starlink has a slight latency advantage over JioSpace Fiber due to its LEO satellites, which are closer to the Earth. However, JioSpace Fiber is expected to be better in terms of speed and coverage.
- Speed: JioSpace Fiber offers speeds up to 100 Mbps, while Starlink offers speeds up to 1 Gbps.
- Coverage: JioSpace Fiber is currently available in four remote locations in India, while Starlink is available globally and is expected to be available in more countries by the end of 2023[1].
Starlink’s Entry into India
Elon Musk’s Starlink is expected to launch in India soon, posing a potential threat to the dominance of Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in the Indian telecom sector. Starlink’s focus on affordability and unlimited high-speed data without long-term contracts or commitments is likely to appeal to Indian consumers, who are price-sensitive.
Exciting?
The entry of both JioSpace Fiber and Starlink into the Indian market will significantly impact the telecom landscape. While JioSpace Fiber offers faster speeds and stronger coverage, Starlink’s low latency and high speeds make it an attractive option for those seeking reliable internet connectivity. As both services continue to develop and expand, it will be interesting to see how they compete and shape the future of internet connectivity in India.
Further reading:
[1] https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/jiospace-fiber-vs-elon-musks-starlink-price-connectivity-speed-compared-2456184-2023-10-31
[2] https://dazeinfo.com/2024/04/12/starlink-launch-in-india-eat-into-market-share-reliance-jio-airtel/
[3] https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/elon-musks-starlink-to-debut-in-india-soon-to-compete-with-reliance-jio-airtel-101706009370336.html
[4] https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/starlink-for-india-elon-musk-may-unveil-satellite-plan-during-his-india-visit-425262-2024-04-12
[5] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/broadband-from-space-why-sunil-mittal-backed-eutelsat-oneweb-pay-steal-a-march-over-ambanis-jio-and-elon-musks-starlink-in-india/articleshow/108578614.cms
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