Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Indian telecommunications company Airtel have signed an agreement to ease Starlink’s high-speed internet services entry to India when it gets the necessary permissions from the Indian government.
The agreement enables Airtel and SpaceX to explore how Starlink can complement and expand Airtel’s high-speed internet offerings, and how Airtel’s expertise in the Indian market complements SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.
Starlink enhances Airtel connectivity
The two organisations will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, and Starlink services through Airtel to business customers. The agreement provides opportunities to connect communities, schools, farms and health centers in even the most rural parts of India.
By adding Starlink, in addition to its existing alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb, Airtel will further its ability to offer nationwide connectivity and connect previously underserved areas.
Airtel and SpaceX will also explore how Starlink could help expand and enhance the Airtel network and SpaceX’s ability to utilise and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure in India.
The agreement comes just a few weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Musk during his recent visit to Washington when he met Donald Trump, the new US President.
Airtel is the second largest telecommunications provider in the most populated country in the world after Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio.
The satellite internet provider and Reliance Jio have clashed in the past over India’s telecoms regulatory body TRAI’s plans to allocate and not auction satellite spectrum. Auctioning the spectrum would raise the cost involved and is likely to deter a foreign company. Reliance has urged TRAI to auction the spectrum.
Transforming connectivity in India
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel, commented: “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.
“This collaboration enhances our ability to bring world-class high-speed broadband to even the most remote parts of India, ensuring that every individual, business, and community has reliable internet. 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.”
Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, added: “We are excited to work with Airtel and unlock the transformative impact Starlink can bring to the people of India.
“We are constantly amazed by the incredible and inspiring things that people, businesses and organisations do when they are connected via Starlink. The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in India’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering makes great sense for our business.”
Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 550 million customers in 15 countries across India and Africa. The company also has its presence in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka though its associate entities. The company ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally and its networks cover over two billion people.
As the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit, Starlink delivers high-speed and low-latency broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.
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