Category: Broadcast

As Starlink nears regulatory approval in India for satellite broadband services, analysts say a victory there could pave a road into more emerging markets and boost the company’s ambitions to add a million subscribers every year.

There are still legal hurdles to overcome, and competition from companies such as Eutelsat and China’s SpaceSail, which is entering Brazil, Malaysia and Kazakhstan. SpaceX also argues that U.S. regulations put it at a disadvantage against foreign rivals.

But a foothold in India would be a potential $25 billion boon for Starlink, helping it reshape that country’s satellite broadband industry and making an attractive case to other developing markets, experts say.

“Starlink securing the contract serves both as a strategic PR victory and a demonstration that it has successfully navigated challenges that seemed insurmountable for most other operators. From Starlink’s perspective, India is not only a credibility boost but also a crucial test of its economic feasibility in emerging markets,” said independent satcom specialist Davis Mathew Kuriakose.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX-owned satellite internet network has been waiting since 2022 for licenses to operate commercially in India, locked in a regulatory impasse over spectrum allocation. Starlink did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The standoff saw Starlink clash publicly with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel over whether India should auction satellite broadband spectrum – favouring existing telecom players – or allocate it administratively, which would benefit newer entrants such as Starlink.

India decided in October it would allocate the bandwidth.

In a surprise development this month, Mittal’s Airtel and Ambani’s Jio signed separate agreements with SpaceX to bring Starlink services to India, a move industry insiders say signals that regulatory hurdles may soon clear.

Goldman Sachs forecasts that low Earth orbit (LEO) subscription fees, which include broadband and mobile services, will get dramatically cheaper, with prices dropping from $148 per month in 2023 to about $16 per month by 2035. Goldman also estimates the global satellite market will surge from $15 billion to at least $108 billion by 2035.

Space-focused financial firm Quilty Space projects Starlink will add 3 million subscribers globally in 2025, with 1 million coming from Asia, its director of research Caleb Henry said.

“India will be the biggest contributor to Starlink’s Asia subscriber growth once authorized,” Henry said.

‘A seat at the table’
Six industry experts interviewed by Reuters noted that SpaceX’s revenue gains in India will depend on its pricing strategy.

Three of them expect Starlink to offer competitive broadband plans, potentially starting at $15 a month — a price point designed to challenge India’s existing market, where basic plans start at about $12.

“There’s always going to be a subset of the market willing to pay a premium for convenience. India is an aspirational market, and the brand value of having a Starlink connection is also an added edge,” said Vivek Prasad, principal analyst for space and satellite at consulting firm Analysys Mason.

Starlink operates in more than 120 markets with varying levels of regulatory complexity, including spectrum coordination requirements.

The company’s deals with Reliance and Airtel need final regulatory clearances but were signed just weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Musk in Washington — an interaction that analysts say may have helped smooth the way.

Approval in India would give Starlink a leg up on any rivals hoping to enter that country, said three industry executives who declined to be named because of business sensitivities.

“India’s satellite internet market is just coming up, with a potential addressable market of some 700 million customers. Starlink gets a seat at the table to influence how that market develops,” said one senior executive.

India’s space regulator and the department of telecoms did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Starlink’s license approval.

The SatCom Industry Association – India said Starlink’s entry would foster growth in the sector.

“This will fuel employment growth in satellite network operations, ground stations, equipment manufacturing, and rural broadband services, while enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian space startups collaborating with international players,” the industry body said. Reuters

India’s two major telecom operators signed separate deals with Elon Musk’s spaceflight company SpaceX in mid-March in a move that could signal his satellite internet network Starlink is one step closer to gaining entry to the South Asian country and its population of some 1.44 billion people.

The collaborations represented about-turns for the billionaire owners of India’s two largest telecommunications companies, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd and Bharti Airtel Ltd, who had vocally opposed Starlink’s gaining access to India just months earlier. Starlink has been seeking a license to operate in the country since 2021.

The deals notwithstanding, Starlink still requires the approval of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India before it can legally operate in the country. The government is also yet to decide how airwaves for satellite communication will be priced in India, which would influence how much Starlink, if approved, could charge customers.

What Is Starlink?
Starlink is Musk’s satellite internet service operated by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX. It is a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which circle about 550 kilometers from the Earth’s surface and as a result can send data to the ground more rapidly than traditional High-Earth geostationary satellites that are some 36,000 kilometers away. This makes the lower orbit satellites advantageous for technologies that require a fast response time, such as live video streaming, high frequency securities trading and self-driving cars.

Most people around the world, however, access the internet through “terrestrial” networks – a combination of local cellular towers and fiber optic cables.

Where Starlink has a competitive advantage is in providing high-speed internet via its satellites to people who don’t have access to the internet via terrestrial networks – whether it’s because they live in a remote location or the ground telecom infrastructure has been disrupted as a result of war or a natural disaster.

Since SpaceX launched its first Starlink satellites in 2019, it has signed up about 5 million customers in more than 100 countries, far outpacing its competitors. But India, along with China, is one of the major markets Starlink has not been able to access.

Why is there no Starlink in India?
Musk has been trying to get Starlink into the Indian market since 2021, when it began accepting pre-orders for its satellite internet service before it had obtained a license to operate in the country. The government ordered Starlink to stop taking deposits, close the pre-orders and refund payments it had collected until it secured proper licensing.

To get regulatory approval, SpaceX would have to comply with India’s strict data storage norms, which require foreign firms to store user data locally and grant real-time access to security agencies. The government has also asked the company to establish a control center in India, giving local authorities access to information when called upon.

In line with legislation, SpaceX would also have to disclose any links it has with India’s border-sharing countries – like China – before getting the green light. On top of that, all foreign telecom equipment must undergo mandatory testing by India’s telecom agency, adding another layer of compliance.

The government has cited security concerns – specifically around the potential use of Starlink devices in illegal activities. Indian authorities uncovered Starlink satellite equipment during a raid on a drug smuggling operation and an operation against an insurgent group along the Myanmar border. Musk has denied that Starlink operates in India at all.

What’s the internet market like in India?
Some 670 million of India’s 1.4 billion people – about 48% of the population – don’t have access to the internet, according to a 2024 report by GSMA, a trade body for mobile network operators worldwide.

Of non-active internet users – those who have not used the internet in at least a month – 16% said it was because it was too expensive, according to a study by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar, a market research firm.

Most people in India have access to the internet wirelessly, via cellular towers, with more than 95% of Indian villages able to access 4G, after the government rolled out a telecom connectivity initiative in 2024.

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel – run by Indian businessmen Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Bharti Mittal respectively – are the two largest rivals in a booming telecom market in India. Vodafone Idea, in which the Indian government has a 23.5% stake, comes in third. Mobile-phone data is on average just 11 cents per gigabyte because fierce competition has kept prices low. That, however, is changing as these companies start to charge more to deliver higher profits after years of chasing customers by offering low fees.

Indians don’t have access to the internet via LEO networks. Both Ambani and Mittal, however, have invested in internet satellite companies. Mittal has invested in Starlink’s closest rival, OneWeb, which is part of Paris-based Eutelsat Group. Ambani’s Reliance Jio formed a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES in 2022 with the goal of delivering very affordable high-speed internet via medium-earth orbit satellites.

What are the deals Starlink has made in India?
Both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have secured Starlink’s marketing and distribution rights to tap a segment of users that live in remote areas with patchy wireless connectivity, according to people familiar with the internal discussions, who asked not to be identified as the information is private.

Based on the few details that have been released, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel would have the rights to sell and install the equipment that customers would need to access and use Starlink’s network, as well as facilitate an ongoing service. This is despite the fact no regulatory decisions have been made.

Why have these telecom companies embraced Starlink?
Both companies vociferously argued that allowing Starlink to enter India would give it an unfair leg-up in a market they have invested significantly in to create. But a government decision in October that signaled India would open up the satellite internet market to competition – by allocating airwaves to satellite networks at a pre-determined price rather than through a bidding war – may have changed their calculations about whether it was better to fight or join forces with Musk.

The deals between Starlink and the two telecom companies were struck a month after India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a private meeting with Musk at the White House, during a trip to Washington DC to meet with US President Donald Trump.

Modi’s meeting with Musk to discuss “space, mobility, technology and innovation” also triggered a flurry of activity in India for Musk’s other company, Tesla Inc., showing how being in the Trump administration has bolstered the political clout of the world’s richest person. The American electric carmaker soon after advertised several roles in the South Asian country and signed a lease for its first showroom in Mumbai.

It comes as Modi has sought to, on several fronts, appease Trump, whose global trade tariff agenda could hit India’s economy hard.

Would India be a huge win for Musk and Starlink?
The combination of India’s vast population, the fact that there are areas of the country not serviced by cell towers, and that there is still further potential for mass internet adoption, makes it an attractive business proposition for Musk’s SpaceX. Switching on Starlink in India would mean unlocking additional revenue for the investments SpaceX has already made to its LEO satellite constellation.

But India would not be a “volume play” for Starlink because its primary market would be users in remote locations rather than data-heavy urban users who rely on terrestrial networks, according to Utkarsh Sinha, managing director at Bexley Advisors, a boutique investment bank focused early stage deals in Tech and Media.

Its pricing would also be key to mass adoption. A Starlink connection costs as much as $120 per month in the US, and that’s without the equipment, which starts from $349. For customers in Kenya, for example, Starlink has lowered its offering substantially — but it’s still $15 a month. In India, where the average rural wage in 2022 was just $148 a month, and the average cost of mobile data is among the cheapest in the world, it could be a hard sell. Bloomberg

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – the US-funded news outlet set up to reach people under Communism during the Cold War – said on Tuesday it sued the administration of President Donald Trump to block the termination of the media outlet’s federal grant.

The US Agency for Global Media has terminated its grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which broadcasts to countries in Eastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine, as well as to Radio Free Asia, which broadcasts to China and North Korea.

The move was widely criticized over the weekend by advocates of press freedom and human rights.

More than 1,300 Voice of America employees were also placed on leave on Saturday, after Trump ordered the gutting of the government-funded media outlet’s parent USAGM and six other federal agencies.

“The complaint (on Tuesday) makes the case that denying RFE/RL the funds that Congress appropriated for it violates federal laws – including the U.S. Constitution, which vests Congress with exclusive power over federal spending,” the news outlet said in a statement.

“This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of America’s adversaries,” RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said.

The case was filed in US District Court for the District of Columbia.

Trump’s administration touted its move as a cutback on federal bureaucracy. Trump ally Elon Musk, his point man for cutting federal jobs, called for RFE/RL to be shut down in a post on X last month. “It’s just radical left crazy people talking to themselves,” Musk posted.

Since taking office in January, Trump has ordered cost-cutting in various federal agencies. Musk has overseen that drive.

RadioFree Europe/Radio Liberty on its website says its mission is to provide “uncensored, trusted news to audiences in 23 countries where a free press is under threat.” Reuters

Barb, the UK’s TV measurement body, has added Disney+ to its Advanced Campaign Hub, expanding advertisers’ ability to plan and optimise campaigns across both linear and VOD services.

This integration allows users to forecast unduplicated reach and frequency using Barb’s panel data and census-level impressions from participating streaming platforms.

Disney+ joins Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and discovery+, which were added last year. Advertisers using the Hub can now incorporate Disney+ into their campaign planning, with Barb also providing daily updates on the number of UK households subscribed to the platform’s ad-supported tier.

As a result, Barb said this addition meets a key demand from advertisers, enabling planning across the UK’s four largest pure-play VOD services.

In a related development, Barb has appointed RSMB to develop a unified web-based interface for Advanced Campaign Hub and CFlight, its post-campaign evaluation tool. Set to launch in January 2026, this will provide clients with streamlined access to cross-platform audience data.

Luca Vannini, Head of Campaign Audiences at Barb, said: “Our addition of Disney+ to Advanced Campaign Hub fulfills a core demand of our users, giving them the ability to plan their ad campaigns across all four of the largest pure-play VOD services in the UK, alongside broadcasters’ VOD services and linear channels.”

Lucy Gregory, VP, Audience Measurement and Insights at The Walt Disney Company EMEA, added: “Joining Barb’s Advanced Campaign Hub enables us to offer advertisers and brands an enhanced ability to include Disney+ in campaign planning and optimisation. As the very first streamer to sign up to Barb, we know that transparent audience measurement that brings linear and VOD services together is of vital importance; not only for our partners but for the industry as a whole.” CSI Magazine

Starlink must meet all application guidelines to secure a license in India, the government remains company-agnostic and open to competition in the satellite broadband sector, Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia said.

“The market is open for anyone who wants to come and operate in India, provided they fill up the pro forma, get the license, avail of the spectrum—which would be administratively assigned—and get into operation,” Scindia said.

On Starlink’s pending applications since 2021, Scindia clarified, “That is between the company and the application process. They have to check off all the boxes, and the minute they do that, they will get their licence.”

Reaffirming the government’s pro-competition stance, he added, “I’m company-agnostic and consumer-focused, and therefore, I need to give choice to my consumer. For instance, a consumer will decide whether he wants to go on broadband or mobile, and I have to provide that choice.”

Scindia highlighted the growing role of satellite-based communications in India, particularly in disaster management and connecting underserved regions.

“I see satcom’s role as very complementary in terms of providing connectivity. So is the case in India. We’ve got two licences that have already been given out to OneWeb and Jio-SES. And our market is open for anyone who wants to come and operate in India, provided they fill out the pro forma, get the licence, avail of spectrum, and get into operation.”

Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to announce spectrum pricing soon. After that, the government will allocate spectrum based on TRAI’s recommendations, he said.

Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms recently announced partnerships with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet service to India, aiming to enhance connectivity in remote areas. However, Starlink is still awaiting regulatory approvals and spectrum allocation for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite operations.

Moneycontrol reported on March 12 that SpaceX and Starlink are likely to secure faster approvals from India’s telecom department and IN-SPACe following their tie-ups with Jio and Airtel. This could also pave the way for Amazon’s Kuiper to gain similar regulatory clearances.

SpaceX has already submitted the necessary details for Starlink’s Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license and agreed to key conditions, including setting up a ground station and a network control centre in India. Sources suggest the Department of Telecommunications and IN-SPACe may soon process Starlink’s application. CNBCTV18

While India has made remarkable progress in its overall digital journey, on closer examination, one notes a deep digital divide or gap between urban and rural India. And this has not improved since the last 4-5 years. Considerable challenges have been faced in rolling out terrestrial networks of fibre and towers to the remote and difficult-to-access areas. However, the announcement a few days back, of two major Indian telcos tying up with Elon Musk’s Starlink, has created a buzz.

While this now only involves Starlink and two telcos, other satcom players and telcos are bound to take similar action, and soon we can hope to have a seamless, fully interconnected and intermeshed network of satellite players and telcos in India.

Earlier, Indian telcos viewed satellite players as rivals and intruders and were antagonistic. However, after having struggled for decades to bridge the digital divide, they have apparently realised that no single technology can address this complex problem. Forging partnerships with satcom to complement their existing terrestrial networks, the telcos have adopted a collaborative approach to offer high-speed internet to areas where fibre and mobile networks are unviable. This is a golden example of ‘coopetition’ — that is, collaborating with a competitor to grow the market healthily.

The collaboration between telcos and satcoms can work on multiple fronts, including: (i) backhaul support: telcos can use satcom links to provide backhaul for mobile towers in remote areas where fibre deployment is costly and impractical; (ii) direct-to-home connectivity: satcom can directly serve the rural households that are able to afford it and Gram Panchayat locations; and (iii) agriculture, schools, government services, healthcare centres and businesses: the partnership can enable the much needed net-connectivity for agriculture, telemedicine/healthcare, schools, businesses and digital governance initiatives in remote regions.

By integrating satellite broadband into the broader internet ecosystem, the telcos and satcom players can provide uninterrupted nation-wide coverage.

Regulatory support
Much has happened through several government initiatives over the last 2-3 years to transform Indian satcom. The IN-SPACe programmes, spectrum clarity from Telecommunications Act 2023, satcom reforms from DoT, etc., have turbo-charged satcom sentiments. While these have facilitated the latest developments, a couple of important actions are still awaited.

First, details of administrative pricing are most important and, needless to say, these should be kept at the lowest possible nominal levels since the objective is to connect the unconnected and enhance inclusive economic development of the nation.

Second, there may be actions needed to include satellite broadband in all satcom licences. And, third, government support through subsidies or the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) programme is necessary to cover the cost for any dish or installation. After all, ₹50,000-60,000 crore was incurred through USoF programmes to connect the unconnected using terrestrial networks.

Of the digitally unconnected/ underserved mass of approximately 700 million, the addressable market with some government subsidies would be at least 400 million people. Assuming an ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) of only ₹300 per month, the size of the market could be around ₹1.44 lakh crore. Consumers would, of course, be the primary beneficiaries from the net-connectivity achieved. The government would benefit from the inflow of corporate income taxes and GST from this market. Obviously, both satcom and telecom would share the new market. A clear win-win for all stakeholders.

India’s latest initiative on creating a telco-satcom continuum could serve as a model for other developing nations facing similar connectivity challenges. By facilitating the latest initiative, India is demonstrating how innovation, collaboration and competition can come together to drive inclusive digital growth. The future of connectivity lies not in specialised segments but in synergy. Going forward, the interconnected mesh network should also include complementary PM WANI Public WiFi networks. The Hindu BusinessLine

Researchers from TU Graz have found a way to use Starlink and other communication satellites for climate research and Earth monitoring. By analyzing how their signals change due to the Doppler effect, they can track gravitational field variations, monitor sea level changes, and even observe real-time weather phenomena.

Unlocking Hidden Data in Satellite Signals
Traditionally, communication satellites like those from Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper are designed for internet and telecommunications, not scientific observations. However, a team from the Institute of Geodesy at TU Graz realized that these satellites generate a vast and continuous stream of signals that could be repurposed.

By studying the frequency shifts in these signals as they travel through space, the researchers have managed to extract valuable information about Earth’s gravitational field and environmental changes. This breakthrough comes as part of the FFG project Estimation, which explores alternative data sources for geodetic measurements.

The Doppler Effect: Key to Measuring Earth’s Changes
The core principle behind this technique is the Doppler effect—the same phenomenon that changes the pitch of an ambulance siren as it moves past an observer. When a satellite moves relative to a ground station, the frequency of its signal shifts slightly. By tracking these shifts, scientists can determine how the satellite’s orbit is affected by Earth’s gravitational field.

Changes in sea levels, groundwater reservoirs, and ice masses all influence gravity, causing subtle shifts in satellite motion. By detecting these shifts, researchers can map environmental changes with unprecedented detail.

Breaking Through Technical Challenges
One of the biggest obstacles to this research is the lack of public data on Starlink and other communication satellites. Companies like SpaceX, OneWeb, and Amazon do not disclose the technical structure of their signals, making it difficult for scientists to analyze them.

Additionally, precise orbital data and distance measurements for these satellites are not readily available, introducing potential calculation errors. Despite these challenges, researchers at TU Graz managed to detect constant frequency tones within Starlink transmissions.

By tracking how these tones shift as satellites move, they could estimate positions with an accuracy of 54 meters. This isn’t precise enough for advanced geodetic applications, but it proves the method’s feasibility.

Towards Higher Precision Earth Monitoring
The researchers are now working on improving accuracy by developing mobile tracking antennas that can follow satellites in real time. By increasing the number of measurement points and refining their signal processing techniques, they aim to reduce positional errors to just a few meters.

If successful, this method could provide real-time, high-resolution data on Earth’s gravitational field and short-term environmental changes, such as:

• Extreme weather events (e.g., heavy rainfall, storms)
• Sea level fluctuations
• Groundwater depletion
• Changes in ice sheet mass

This new approach could complement traditional satellite geodesy missions and provide continuous, up-to-date insights into Earth’s changing environment.

A Game-Changer for Climate Science and Geodesy
The ability to use existing communication satellites for Earth observation represents a major step forward in geodetic science. Instead of relying solely on specialized research satellites, scientists could leverage the thousands of Starlink and OneWeb satellites already in orbit, dramatically improving data availability and resolution.

Philipp Berglez, a leading researcher at TU Graz, emphasized that while this method uses communication signals, it does not involve decoding or analyzing message content. The focus remains strictly on tracking satellite movements to improve our understanding of Earth’s gravitational field and climate changes. DailyGalaxy

Pro Audio Equipment Market is Segmented by Type (Wireless Microphones, Mixers, Conference System, Wired Microphones, Ceiling Array Microphones, Content Creation Microphones), by Application (Pro Audio, Consumer.)

The Global Pro Audio Equipment Market revenue was USD 4496.8 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 6231.1 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

Major Factors Driving the Growth of Pro Audio Equipment Market:
The pro audio equipment market continues to expand as diverse sectors recognize the value of high-quality sound. Live performances, broadcasting, and content creation demand reliable gear that captures nuances and ensures audience engagement. Competitive differentiation often hinges on producing equipment with enhanced durability, superior fidelity, and user-friendly features. Manufacturers collaborate with influencers and industry experts to refine designs, resulting in a wider range of specialized solutions. As consumer expectations evolve, integration with smart devices and seamless connectivity options have become increasingly essential. Premium brands, mid-tier companies, and niche players all compete for market share, fostering a robust environment of innovation. These conditions confirm the growing significance of professional audio gear across various industries worldwide.

Trends influencing the growth of the pro audio equipment market:
Wireless microphones facilitate flexible stage movements, enabling performers to connect with audiences without being constrained by cables. This freedom expands creative possibilities in live events, concerts, and broadcasting, fueling a higher demand for advanced audio capture tools. In educational and conference settings, wireless setups ensure streamlined communication, minimizing clutter and allowing instructors to move around more effectively. Additionally, the convenience of hassle-free setup shortens transition time between speakers or acts, enhancing efficiency. Wireless technology continues to improve in reliability and battery life, making it an appealing choice for professionals seeking clear, uninterrupted transmissions. As user expectations grow for clear audio performance, wireless microphones are increasingly recognized as essential components within the evolving pro audio ecosystem. Thus boosting onstage confidence.

Mixers play a pivotal role in combining and processing audio signals from multiple sources, ensuring balanced, clear, and high-quality sound output. With the rising popularity of live performances, studio recording, and broadcast production, the demand for versatile mixers has intensified among musicians, audio engineers, and event organizers. The ability to adjust volume levels, equalize frequencies, and add effects fosters creativity and precision in delivering immersive audio experiences. As consumer expectations for professional-grade sound grow, advanced digital mixers with intuitive interfaces and scalability are becoming mainstream, supporting complex setups in both large venues and smaller studios. Enhanced connectivity features, including remote control options, further boost operational efficiency. Mixers remain essential to delivering polished, engaging outputs, sustaining market growth across varied sectors.

Consumer audio products encompass a range of devices, from headphones and home theater systems to portable speakers. Their widespread adoption influences the pro audio equipment market by raising general awareness about sound quality and fidelity. As individuals become more discerning listeners, interest in professional-grade audio solutions increases for recording, streaming, and content creation. This heightened awareness extends beyond casual listening, prompting users to seek more robust and precise products. The rise of podcasts, independent music production, and gaming also drives demand for equipment that can deliver crystal-clear output. Manufacturers respond by bridging the gap between consumer and pro-level features, offering improved interfaces and durability. Ultimately, consumer audio trends fuel innovation and expand the user base for specialized equipment. Accelerating demand.

Concerts, festivals, and corporate gatherings are becoming increasingly frequent, creating a sustained demand for professional audio equipment. Organizers seek reliable tools that deliver high-fidelity sound to enhance audience engagement and meet performer expectations. This surge in live events necessitates robust systems capable of handling complex environments, varying venue sizes, and diverse musical or speech-based content. Furthermore, organizers look for technology that can minimize setup time and reduce technical difficulties. As audiences grow more discerning, the need for precise audio coverage and intelligibility intensifies, prompting investments in advanced microphones, speakers, and sound consoles. Market players that develop durable, user-centric products gain a competitive edge. This trend in large-scale events consistently boosts the requirement for cutting-edge pro audio solutions.

The popularity of podcasts, vlogs, and independent music production has introduced a new wave of audio enthusiasts, all seeking professional-grade gear. Many creators operate from home studios or small production spaces, requiring compact but powerful equipment. The focus on high audio fidelity drives demand for mixers, audio interfaces, and microphones tailored to these environments. User-friendly features, such as automated mixing presets and easy connectivity, attract beginners and seasoned professionals alike. As social media and streaming platforms grow, creators strive to produce content that stands out, fueling steady investment in reliable pro audio solutions. This shift expands the market beyond traditional broadcasting and live events, making professional equipment more accessible and relevant to a broader demographic of users.

A growing number of end-users, from hobbyists to experienced professionals, desire audio equipment that offers both simplicity and sophisticated functionality. Intuitive controls, touchscreens, and straightforward setup processes reduce learning curves, encouraging broader adoption across diverse markets. Compact digital consoles and software-based solutions cater to evolving consumer needs, allowing easy customization of sound profiles and presets. This accessibility benefits event organizers, small venue owners, and independent content creators who prioritize efficiency. Manufacturers compete by integrating advanced capabilities into devices that remain approachable for non-experts. Simplified connectivity through USB or wireless protocols further lowers barriers seamlessly. By prioritizing usability, pro audio brands empower a wider audience to leverage professional-grade sound without extensive technical training, pushing the market toward steady expansion.

Competitive gaming events and online streaming platforms have fueled a surge in demand for high-quality audio solutions that enhance player experiences and audience engagement. Clear communication is critical for teams coordinating strategies in real time, driving the requirement for premium headsets and microphones that minimize latency and noise. Spectators also seek immersive sound, prompting event organizers to integrate professional-grade speakers and mixing consoles that deliver impactful audio. As e-sports audiences grow, sponsors and advertisers invest in improving production values, including the quality of broadcasts. This steady influx of funding supports ongoing innovation in pro audio technology tailored to gaming needs. Consequently, e-sports and gaming trends create new market opportunities for brands offering cutting-edge, reliable audio equipment.

Pro audio equipment market share
Global key players of pro audio equipment include Shure, Sennheiser, TOA, etc. The top three players hold a share of about 21%. North America is the largest market, with a share of about 34%, followed by China and Europe, with share 25% and 19%, separately.

Key Companies:

• Sennheiser
• Shure
• Yamaha
• Audio-Tehcnica
• AKG
• Blue
• Lewitt Audio
• Sony
• Takstar
• MIPRO
• Allen&heath
• TOA
• Wisycom
• Beyerdynamic
• Lectrosonic
• Line6
• Audix
• DPA
• Rode
• Shoeps
• Electro-Voice
• Telefunken
• Clock Audio
• Biamp
• Symetrix
• QSC
• Polycom
• Extron
• Crestron
• BSS
• Clear One
• Bose
• Bosch
• Televic
• Taiden
• Brahler
• Samson Technologies
• Apogee
• Razer

PR Newswire

Starlink’s satellite broadband services are unlikely to pose a major threat to Indian telecom giants Jio and Bharti Airtel, as their home broadband plans offer better pricing, higher speeds, and unlimited data, according to JM Financial report.

Instead, Starlink’s service is expected to complement telcos’ existing networks, helping to expand high-speed internet access to remote and rural areas.

Globally, satellite internet plans from Starlink and other satcom companies range between USD 10-USD 500 per month, with additional one-time hardware costs of USD 250-USD 380.

In contrast, Indian telecom companies offer home broadband plans starting at just USD 5-USD 7 per month, with premium plans providing 1 Gbps speed and access to streaming services for around USD 47 per month. Additionally, Starlink’s plans come with data caps, whereas Jio and Bharti provide unlimited data.

Given India’s price-sensitive market, Starlink’s higher costs and speed limitations make it less competitive for urban users. This reinforces its role in serving rural and underserved regions rather than competing directly with Jio and Bharti’s Fiber and AirFiber broadband services.

While the current agreement primarily focuses on distribution, there is potential for future collaboration between Jio, Bharti, and Starlink in direct-to-cell satellite services. Globally, Starlink has partnered with telecom companies like T-Mobile (US), Rogers (Canada), Optus (Australia), and KDDI (Japan) to provide satellite connectivity.

Despite this, industry experts believe direct-to-cell satellite broadband is unlikely to disrupt India’s wireless market due to several factors. Firstly, the technology still faces technical challenges, such as difficulties in maintaining reliable smartphone connectivity due to power and antenna limitations.

Secondly, Starlink depends on telecom providers for access to 4G/LTE spectrum, making it reliant on existing networks. Lastly, satellite internet generally delivers slower and less reliable performance compared to fiber or traditional wireless services.

While selling Starlink’s equipment may generate some revenue for Jio and Bharti, it is not expected to significantly impact their overall earnings. Both companies already have their own satellite broadband ventures–Bharti with Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio with SES (Orbit Connect India)–which are further along in securing regulatory approvals in India.

Additionally, Starlink’s large satellite network, with over 6,400 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, gives it a capacity advantage. However, rather than competing with Indian telcos, this scale positions Starlink as a useful partner for expanding connectivity in hard-to-reach areas.

Jio and Bharti have announced agreements with SpaceX to distribute Starlink’s broadband services in India. As part of these agreements, the telecom firms will sell Starlink’s equipment through their retail outlets, with Jio additionally providing installation and activation support. They will also offer Starlink’s services to businesses, schools, and health centers in rural areas.

However, these agreements are subject to regulatory approval, as SpaceX is yet to receive authorization to sell Starlink services in India. ThePrint