Elon Musk’s Starlink Partners with Airtel to Expand Satellite Internet in India, Rivaling Reliance Jio
Elon Musk’s Starlink Partners with Airtel Expand Satellite Internet in India.
On March 11, Reuters reported that Elon Musk’s Starlink has entered into a strategic partnership with Airtel and India’s second-largest telecom operator, to introduce its satellite internet services in the country. This move is set to intensify competition with other provider.
The agreement allows Starlink to leverage Airtel’s extensive retail network for device distribution across India. However, the partnership is contingent upon Starlink securing the necessary government approvals to operate in the country. Airtel announced that both companies will explore opportunities to share network infrastructure to improve coverage, though specific details were not disclosed. Additionally, Airtel plans to offer Starlink services to its business and retail customers.
This development follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meeting with Elon Musk in Washington, where they discussed advancements in space, technology, and innovation. Starlink has been eager to enter the Indian market but recently faced opposition from Reliance Jio over the allocation of spectrum for satellite services. While Reliance advocated for an auction-based system, the Indian government supported Starlink’s preference for administrative allocation, aligning with global practices. Analysts suggest that an auction process, requiring significant investment, could discourage foreign competitors like Starlink.
Mukesh Ambani has expressed concerns that Starlink’s entry could threaten Reliance Jio’s broadband customer base and potentially impact its data and voice services in the future. Reliance Jio has already invested $19 billion in airwave auctions to strengthen its position in the telecom sector.
Airtel also has a similar distribution agreement with Eutelsat, a global satellite group in which its parent company holds a stake. Notably, both Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio have already received approval from India’s space regulator to launch commercial satellite broadband services.
Also visit :-