A Galaxy of Opportunity: Starlink to Unlock India's Remote Economies | Souparna Roy
A Galaxy of Opportunity: Starlink to Unlock India's Remote Economies. Image Source: LucknowWants Introduction A farmer in rural Rajasthan, encircled by miles of golden sand and silence, checks real-time crop prices this morning, not on a T.V., but on his smartphone. There is no cell tower in sight available but his connection is strong, and the signal is crisp. This is not far from reality thanks to Starlink, the service of SpaceX that brings connectivity directly from space. Although India’s digital surge is unparalleled, as noticed in the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India reporting in 2023, over 1 billion Indians are still unable to access reliable, low-cost broadband. It has another catastrophic social impact: isolating millions and preventing innovation, education and economic development in remote areas. With Starlink’s entry, India’s remotes might shortly be part of the digital economy, unlocking billions of potential GDP gains. Starlink brings another possibilit...