- Wednesday, March 12, 2025
The agreement will enable Airtel and SpaceX to explore how Starlink’s satellite could complement and expand Airtel’s current offerings
By: India Weekly
INDIA’S second-largest telecom company Bharti Airtel on Tuesday (11) said it has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services in India.
This agreement is subject to SpaceX receiving authorisations to sell Starlink’s satellite communications-based services in India, Airtel said in a statement.
The agreement will enable Airtel and SpaceX to further explore how Starlink could complement and expand Airtel’s offerings, and how Airtel’s expertise in the Indian market could complement SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.
Bharti Airtel managing director and vice chairman Gopal Vittal said that working with SpaceX to offer Starlink services to Airtel customers in India is a significant milestone and further demonstrates company’s commitment to next-generation satellite connectivity.
He said the collaboration will bring world-class high-speed broadband to even the most remote parts of India.
“Starlink will complement and enhance Airtel’s suite of products to ensure reliable and affordable broadband for our Indian customers,” Vittal said.
Under the agreement, Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment at Airtel’s retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centres, among many others, in even the most distant rural parts of India.
Airtel and SpaceX will also explore how Starlink could help expand and enhance the Airtel network, as well as SpaceX’s ability to utilise and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in India, the statement said.
Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani, who owns Reliance Jio, have taken differing stands on India’s satellite broadband spectrum allocation process.
While Musk favour administrative allocation of satellite spectrum, Ambani has called for an auction.
The government appears to side with Musk, with communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently saying it will offer greater choices to consumers. (Agencies)
