Bharti Airtel has signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite internet services to India. This partnership aims to expand Airtel’s connectivity services, especially in rural and remote areas.

Regulatory Approvals Pending

SpaceX has applied for security clearance from the Indian government, and its application is currently under review by the Home Ministry. The partnership will be effective once SpaceX receives all necessary approvals to sell Starlink services in India.

Competition with Reliance Jio

This deal intensifies competition in the satellite internet market. Reliance Jio and SpaceX have earlier disagreed on how spectrum should be allocated, with Jio pushing for auctions and SpaceX favoring an administrative process. The Indian government has opted for administrative allocation.

Expansion of Airtel’s Offerings

Airtel’s satellite arm, OneWeb, primarily focuses on business services. By teaming up with SpaceX, Airtel aims to enhance its consumer offerings, provide internet to underserved regions, and integrate Starlink into its retail network.

Statements from Leaders

Gopal Vittal, MD and Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, called this a “significant milestone” for satellite connectivity in India. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell emphasized the value of working with Airtel to expand their services.

Source: The Indian Express