“Elon Musk’s SpaceX Partners with Jio and Airtel to Launch Star-link Satellite Internet in India”
Elon Musk has achieved a significant milestone in India, securing back-to-back agreements to introduce SpaceX’s Star link satellite internet services to the country. This move marks a major step forward in expanding high-speed internet access across India, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
On Wednesday, Reliance Jio, India’s leading telecom provider owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, announced a partnership with SpaceX. In a statement, Jio revealed plans to sell Star link equipment in its retail stores and set up a system to assist customers with installation and activation. This collaboration aims to make Star link’s services more accessible to Indian consumers.
A day earlier, Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest mobile operator, also signed a similar agreement with SpaceX. Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX, expressed enthusiasm about working with both Airtel and Reliance Jio to enhance connectivity in India. However, before moving forward, Star link must secure regulatory approval from Indian authorities.
Industry experts view Star link’s strategy of partnering with local telecom giants as a smart move. Neil Shah, Vice President at Counterpoint Research, noted that collaboration with established players like Jio and Airtel is crucial for success in India’s competitive market. “To capture value in a market as attractive as India, you need to work with local partners rather than just competing against them,” Shah explained. “Both Jio-Airtel and Star link can benefit from each other’s strengths to drive growth in this space.”
Satellite internet is still in its early stages in India, a country with over 1.4 billion people, many of whom live in rural or hard-to-reach areas. While satellite connectivity could bridge the digital divide, its higher costs compared to traditional broadband may pose a challenge. Counterpoint Research suggests that pricing will play a key role in determining Star link’s success in the Indian market.
Interestingly, Airtel has already partnered with another satellite internet provider, France’s Eutelsat One Web, which, like Star link, offers global coverage through low Earth orbit satellites. This indicates a growing interest in satellite-based internet solutions among Indian telecom companies.
The announcement of these deals comes shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Elon Musk in Washington, D.C., last month. According to a post by Modi on X (formerly Twitter), the two leaders discussed advancements in space exploration, technology, and innovation during their meeting.
Musk has been eyeing the Indian market for years. His electric vehicle company, Tesla, has been planning to enter India since 2017 but faced delays due to stalled negotiations with the government over import duties. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Tesla had leased a showroom in Mumbai to sell imported cars, signaling a renewed push into the country.
Last year, Musk was scheduled to visit India but canceled at the last minute, citing heavy commitments with Tesla. At the time, reports suggested he was planning to announce a major investment of at least $2 billion to set up manufacturing facilities in India. While that plan has yet to materialize, the Star link agreements represent a significant step in Musk’s efforts to establish a strong presence in the Indian market.
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