Elon Musk gets telecom tycoons’ double backing for Starlink in India

Our collaboration with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India strengthens our commitment and marks a transformative step toward seamless broadband connectivity for all. By integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem, we are expanding our reach and enhancing the reliability and accessibility of high-speed broadband in this AI-driven era, empowering communities and businesses across the country,

said Mathew Oommen, group chief executive officer (CEO), Reliance Jio, in a statement

Satellite broadband has the potential to expand connectivity, bridge the digital divide, unlock new economic possibilities, and foster digital inclusion. Over the short to long term, a confluence of technological breakthroughs, affordable service models, and supportive government policies can unlock the transformative potential of satellite broadband for India,

Prabhu Ram, head for industry intelligence group at Cyber Media Research (CMR), told HT earlier

Most satellite internet services come from single geostationary satellites that orbit the planet at 35,786 km. As a result, the round-trip data time between the user and satellite, also known as latency, is high, making it nearly impossible to support streaming, online gaming, video calls or other high data rate activities,

they point out in an explainer on their website

Just like 4G, 5G, and 6G in the future, we will now have one more technology in our mix, i.e. SAT-G. Soon customers will be able to carry their mobiles to the remotest part of the world, with them in the skies and blue oceans,

Mittal added

I have no doubt the satellite and the telecom industry globally will respond to my call to combine their strengths. For the telecom industry, the addition of satellite technology should be no different from bringing new technologies to its customers,

he said

If you want to capture value in the attractive India market, you need to collaborate with local players rather than solely compete,

Shah said

Providing affordable and high-speed broadband to all Indians, regardless of their location, continues to be Jio's top priority,

stated Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio

Jio and SpaceX are also evaluating other complementary areas of cooperation to leverage their respective infrastructure,

Reliance said in a statement, without elaborating

Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centers, among many others, in even the most rural parts of India,

Bharti Airtel said in a statement

Through this agreement, the parties will leverage Jio’s position as the world's largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic and Starlink’s position as the world’s leading low Earth orbit satellite constellation operator to deliver reliable broadband services across the country, including the most rural and remote regions of India. Jio will not only offer Starlink equipment in its retail outlets but will establish a mechanism to support customer service installation and activation,

Jio said in a media release

This agreement, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorizations 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. Jio will make Starlink solutions available through its retail outlets as well as through its online storefronts,

Jio said in a statement

Gwynne Shotwellchief operating officer

We applaud Jio's commitment to advancing India's connectivity,

said Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX

Gwynne Shotwellchief operating officer

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,

Shotwell added

By adding Starlink, (in addition to its existing alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb) to its offerings, Airtel will further its ability to offer nationwide connectivity and connect previously underserved areas, particularly those with limited to no coverage today,

the company said

Airtel and SpaceX will also explore how Starlink could help expand and enhance the Airtel network, as well as SpaceX’s ability to utilize and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in India,

it added

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,

Vittal added

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.”

Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel, said

Gwynne Shotwellchief operating officer

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 organizations do when they are connected via Starlink,

said Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX

Gwynne Shotwellchief operating officer

We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorization from the Government of India to provide more people, organizations and businesses with access to Starlink’s highspeed internet services,

said Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, as part of the announcement