08 April 2025
India’s two largest mobile operators, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have announced partnerships with SpaceX to utilize its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, Starlink.
This collaboration aims to leverage Starlink’s estimated 7,000 satellites to provide satellite internet services across India, potentially connecting the nearly 600 million people in the country who currently lack internet access. Both operators plan to sell Starlink terminals in their retail stores and offer installation support to customers.
“Ensuring that every Indian, no matter where they live, has access to affordable and high-speed broadband remains Jio’s top priority,” said Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio.
By integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem, the company aims to enhance the reliability and reach of high-speed internet services across the country.
Gopal Vittal, managing director of Bharti Airtel, echoed this sentiment, noting that the collaboration would bolster their ability to deliver world-class internet services, even to the most remote areas of India.
These partnerships mark a significant shift for both telecom operators amid previous tensions with SpaceX regarding India’s satellite spectrum policy. SpaceX had previously advocated for spectrum to be directly allocated to service providers by regulators, aligning with practices in many other global markets. Conversely, Airtel and Jio argued that spectrum should be auctioned, similar to traditional mobile spectrum processes. In October of the previous year, the Indian government indicated a preference for direct allocation of spectrum, though the mobile operators continue to contest this approach.
These strategic shifts may be influenced by changes in SpaceX owner Elon Musk’s relationship with the US government. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Musk in Washington in February, where they reportedly discussed topics including space policy and technological advancements.
The new partnerships likely signal an imminent acceleration of regulatory approval for Starlink in India, as the company has been navigating a complicated administrative process that has faced delays since 2021.
