Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have both partnered with SpaceX to launch Starlink satellite internet in India. The two competitive telecom companies are set to transform India’s connectivity landscape with this milestone deal with the Elon Musk-headed company.
Starlink internet in India will bridge the broadband divide, especially in rural and remote parts of India. It’s said that the satellite connection will help materialize online education, telemedicine, telehealth, etc.
Both Airtel and Jio have made similar agreements with Starlink for the satellite broadband service. Jio will provide Starlink gear at its retail and online platforms. Jio, on the other hand, will establish its own system to sell equipment and install and activate the service.
“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. “Our collaboration with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India strengthens our commitment and marks a transformative step toward seamless broadband connectivity for all.”
The deal with both Airtel and Jio marks a major achievement in Musk’s India ambitions. After years of seeking a presence, it has finally reached a deal. And directly and indirectly, US president Donald Trump must have great influence in making this deal possible. Since starting his second term at the Oval Office, Trump has endorsed tech companies to expand and flourish, and that might have also involved pressuring Indian authorities to expedite the approval for Starlink satellite in India.
What’s also significant is that the deal with India’s leading telcos means Starlink will stay a pivotal influence in the country’s satellite broadband market.
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How will Airtel and Jio work with the Starlink satellite service?
Airtel will leverage its Starlink partnership to bring more diverse and efficient packages to its customers. It will be an advantage to the telco as it also has a strategic partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb. Similarly, Jio will implement satellite connectivity in its Jio AirFiber and JioFiber services, further enhancing broadband reach across more areas in India.
Also: Reliance Jio claims nationwide 5G coverage across India
Starlink will bridge the digital divide in India with faster broadband service
Starlink’s satellite network will help bridge the internet gap in India by bringing connectivity to underserved areas. It will be ideal for places where traditional mobile networks and fiber optics are not feasible to set up.
The company uses a constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, so it provides faster internet at lower latency, which contrasts with MEO and GEO satellite systems. It’s said that the company will have over 6,000 LEO satellites orbiting the earth by early 2025. Very soon, India will be one of its beneficiaries.