New Delhi: Indian telecommunication majors Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, who had initially opposed Elon Musk’s Starlink, are now joining hands with SpaceX to introduce its satellite broadband offerings in India. This is a significant turnaround from their previous position, where they vehemently opposed Starlink’s entry based on licensing and spectrum issues.
From opposition to cooperation, what shifted?
Until now, Airtel and Jio were adamant that they did not want Starlink in India, claiming that satellite internet operators should be treated equally as regular telecom operators, i.e., they should purchase spectrum and pay huge licensing charges. Even Elon Musk himself wondered why it was so difficult to get Starlink cleared in India.
Airtel’s Starlink deal
Bharti Airtel made a deal with SpaceX on March 11 to introduce Starlink’s high-speed internet in India. The agreement is an important move towards next-generation connectivity since Airtel intends to utilize Starlink to upgrade its own services and extend its coverage, particularly in rural regions.
Far from being outdone, Jio too signed up with SpaceX to provide Starlink broadband service to India. The strategy? To sell Starlink solutions at retail stores and digital platforms operated by Jio and marry the humongous Jio network with Starlink’s satellite technology in order to take internet access into India’s farthest-flung rural reaches.
What’s truly driving this turnaround?
Interestingly, these partnerships were announced soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, where he met with Elon Musk. Could this be a sign of a bigger strategy at play? Either way, Airtel and Jio’s sudden U-turn shows they now see Starlink as an opportunity rather than a threat.
What this means for you
This step can be a game-changer for millions of Indians, particularly those in rural areas with poor connectivity. With Starlink joining hands with the nation’s largest telecom players, high-speed satellite internet could become more affordable than ever.
