Elon Musk’s Starlink has signed an agreement with India’s second-largest telecom provider, Airtel, to introduce its satellite internet services in the country, intensifying competition with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio.
Under the agreement, Starlink will utilize Airtel’s retail store network to distribute its devices across India. However, the deal is contingent on Starlink receiving regulatory approval to commence operations.
Airtel announced on Tuesday that both companies will explore leveraging each other’s network infrastructure to enhance coverage, though specific details were not disclosed. Additionally, Airtel may offer Starlink services to its business and enterprise clients.
This partnership follows a recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Elon Musk in Washington, where they discussed space, mobility, and technological advancements.
Starlink has long sought entry into the Indian market but has faced regulatory hurdles, including opposition from Reliance Jio regarding spectrum allocation for satellite services. While Reliance pushed for a spectrum auction, the Indian government aligned with Musk’s preference for administrative allocation, following global practices. Analysts believe an auction would require higher investments, potentially discouraging international competitors.
Ambani’s telecom giant, which invested $19 billion in spectrum auctions, is concerned about losing broadband customers to Starlink, with potential implications for its data and voice services in the future.
Airtel has a similar distribution agreement with global satellite company Eutelsat, in which its parent entity holds a stake. Meanwhile, Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio have already secured regulatory approval from India’s space authority to launch commercial satellite broadband services.
