Unmask the Musk....The Starlink Saga
The Long wait...
Five years
Thats how long the applications for Satellite based internet have been going through the bureaucracy.
Three service providers
- Starlink (SpaceX) – A Low Earth Orbit (LEO) consumer-focused satellite broadband service.
- Eutelsat OneWeb (backed by Bharti Airtel) – A LEO constellation primarily serving enterprise and government (B2B/B2G) connectivity.
- Jio Satellite Communications (Reliance Jio) – A satellite broadband venture geared toward nationwide coverage.
Two of these ptoviders are domestic - India based conglomerates who have created disruptions are market leaders. One is already present in 165 countries and backed by the richest person in the world - The Trillionaire Elon Musk.
One Web and Jio have been waiting patiently, but, out of the blue, Elon Musk lost his patience. Perhaps accustomed to having his way, he questioned the leadership of India. Perhaps he thought he could bully his way through.
Afterall, he owns the satellites and the social media platform. Effectively, he can control whose voice is heard on social media and as he has himself put it - Turn the beams on or off. The world has seen this during recent conflicts that have plaqued humanity over the past 12 months.
But raising a question on the leadership of India on a social media platform is pure arrogance. India is not just a country, it is 140 crore people, the most populous country in the world. Now the question is on the democracy of the country. Being a Trillionaire doesnt give anyone the right to question the soverignity and governance of a country.
We all know Tesla has been protected to a large extent by discouraging BYD with huge tarriffs. Many countries have raised a question on Starlink knowing that they no longer have control on data and access. One company - One person decides and this is dangerous. No one person should have such power.
So India is right to take its time as it evaluates the security and safety of the country and its citizens. Starlink equipment has been found with smugglers and insurgents within the territory of India with no proper explanation from Starlink on who purchased the equipment.
Instead, we have Elon declare that the beams were never turned on India. Well, who can verify this? Will Starlink allow Indian agencies access for verification? I have my doubts.
India needs to evaluate the situation carefully and respond at its discretion, free of any bullying and pressure from outside influences.
