A day after Bharti Airtel inked a similar deal, the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio said on Wednesday morning that it signed a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink's internet services to India.
"This agreement, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorisations to sell Starlink in India, enables Jio and SpaceX to explore how Starlink can extend Jio’s offerings and how Jio can complement SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses," the company said in a statement.
Under this partnership, Jio's extensive presence as the world’s largest mobile operator by data traffic and Starlink’s leadership in low Earth orbit satellite technology will be utilised to provide reliable broadband connectivity across India, including remote rural areas.
Reliance Jio said it plans to offer Starlink solutions through its retail stores and online platforms. "Jio will not only offer Starlink equipment in its retail outlets but will establish a mechanism to support customer service installation and activation. The agreement with SpaceX is part of Jio’s commitment to ensuring that reliable internet is fully accessible to all enterprises, small and medium businesses, and communities across India," the company said.
Jio and SpaceX are also exploring further collaboration opportunities to integrate their infrastructure and strengthen India's digital ecosystem.
Mathew Oommen, Reliance Jio's group CEO, said, “By integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem, we are expanding our reach and enhancing the reliability and accessibility of high-speed broadband."
SpaceX's president, Gwynne Shotwell: "We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorisation from the Government of India to provide more people, organisations and businesses with access to Starlink’s high-speed internet services.”
On Tuesday, Bharti Airtel signed an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s satellite internet services to India. As part of the agreement, Airtel may offer Starlink equipment in its retail stores and provide Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet to businesses. The two companies will also work together to bring reliable internet access to rural schools, healthcare centres, and remote communities, helping bridge the digital divide.
Beyond expanding connectivity, the partnership will explore how Starlink’s satellite technology can enhance Airtel’s existing network, while also allowing SpaceX to leverage Airtel’s ground infrastructure in India. This collaboration aligns with Airtel’s long-term strategy to provide advanced connectivity solutions nationwide, the company said in its statement.
Airtel already partners with Eutelsat OneWeb for satellite broadband, and the addition of Starlink to its portfolio will further extend its coverage to regions with little or no internet access. Businesses and communities in remote areas will also benefit from greater access to high-speed broadband, opening up new opportunities for growth and development.
“Working with SpaceX to offer Starlink to Airtel customers in India is a significant milestone and further demonstrates our commitment to next-generation satellite connectivity,” said Gopal Vittal, managing director of Bharti Airtel. "Starlink will complement and enhance Airtel’s suite of products to ensure reliable and affordable broadband for our Indian customers wherever they live and work.”
Starlink's partnership with the two Indian companies comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during is official visit to the US.
Elon Musk has long sought to bring Starlink to India, but regulatory challenges and opposition from domestic telecom giants like Reliance Jio have slowed progress.
Last November, India’s telecom minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, said Starlink had yet to comply with security regulations, delaying its satellite communications license. Musk previously slammed India’s policy of auctioning spectrum for satellite services, leading to a policy shift toward direct spectrum allocation.
