Jio, Airtel sign deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX to bring Starlink to India

India's leading telecom giants Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have signed agreements with SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet services to the country. Both companies, headquartered in India, are awaiting regulatory approvals for SpaceX to operate Starlink commercially. 

The partnerships mark a significant step towards expanding high-speed broadband access in the country, particularly in remote and underserved regions.

Airtel has announced that it will explore various ways to collaborate with SpaceX, including selling Starlink hardware through its retail stores and offering services to businesses. The company also plans to leverage Starlink's capabilities to connect rural schools, healthcare centres, and other remote locations lacking traditional internet infrastructure. Additionally, Airtel aims to integrate Starlink into its existing network and explore opportunities for SpaceX to utilize Airtel's telecom infrastructure in India.

"Airtel's collaboration with SpaceX represents a major milestone in our commitment to providing next-generation satellite connectivity in India," said Gopal Vittal, Bharti Airtel's Managing Director and Vice Chairman.

Reliance Jio, on the other hand, has also partnered with SpaceX to offer Starlink services through its retail stores and online platforms once regulatory approvals are granted. Jio plans to integrate Starlink into its broadband portfolio, which already includes JioFiber and JioAirFiber, to enhance its internet services in areas where traditional broadband is difficult to deploy. The company will be responsible for the installation, activation, and customer support for Starlink users in India.

"High-speed broadband must reach every Indian, and integrating Starlink into Jio's broadband ecosystem will help us achieve that goal," stated Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio.

SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell praised both Airtel and Jio for their commitment to expanding digital connectivity in India. "We appreciate Airtel and Jio's focus on digital expansion and look forward to bringing Starlink's high-speed internet to India once we receive the necessary approvals," she said.

The agreements signal increasing competition in India's satellite broadband sector. Both Airtel and Jio aim to extend high-speed internet access to previously unreachable areas. Airtel, which already collaborates with Eutelsat OneWeb for satellite internet services, will strengthen its connectivity offerings by adding Starlink to its portfolio. 

Meanwhile, Jio, which handles the highest mobile data traffic in India, expects to enhance broadband reliability and accessibility through its partnership with SpaceX.