According to a company presentation, SpaceX’s satellite internet network, Starlink, aims to deploy 200,000 user terminals in India as part of its strategy to expand services in Asia.
The firm’s India director, Sanjay Bhargava, stated on LinkedIn Monday that Starlink Satellite Communications Private has been established in India.
A PayPal executive, Bhargava, wrote on LinkedIn that the division may now apply for licenses and open bank accounts.
The subsidiary has a “stretch goal” to put 200,000 Starlink user terminals in more than 160,000 rural areas in India by December 2022, according to a company presentation that Bhargava shared on LinkedIn last week.
The user terminals, which connect to the Starlink satellites, are included in the $499 kit that users get after signing up for a $99-a-month internet subscription.
“We want to serve the underserved”
Starlink aims to provide internet access to schools in and around New Delhi, according to the corporate video.
“We want to serve the underserved” Bhargava wrote.
Bhargava previously worked with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to create PayPal, according to Bhargava’s LinkedIn profile.
Musk tweeted on Monday: “Sanjay deserves a lot of credit for making X/PayPal succeed. Now helping SpaceX serve rural communities in India. Much respect.”
Sanjay deserves a lot of credit for making X/PayPal succeed. Now helping SpaceX serve rural communities in India. Much respect.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 1, 2021
Starlink is in negotiations with two Philippine telecommunications companies to establish its satellite service, according to a report on Friday from Bloomberg.
More than 1,650 Starlink satellites are currently in orbit. The objective of the firm is to have 42,000 by mid-2027 in order to deliver an internet service that reaches across the world.
