New Delhi: Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel has signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to introduce high-speed satellite internet services via Starlink in India. The collaboration, announced through an exchange filing on Tuesday, marks a significant step in expanding broadband connectivity across urban and rural areas of the country.
According to the BSE filing, Starlink will sell its services in India and explore synergies with Airtel’s existing telecom infrastructure. However, the agreement remains subject to regulatory authorization from Indian authorities before Starlink can commence operations in the country.
The service aims to connect businesses, communities, schools and healthcare centers, extending connectivity even to the most remote parts of India.
Announcing the partnership on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Airtel stated:
“Airtel announces an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed internet services to its customers in India. This is the first agreement to be signed in India, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorizations to sell Starlink in India. It enables Airtel and SpaceX to further explore how Starlink can complement and expand Airtel’s offerings, and how Airtel’s expertise in the Indian market complements SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.”
Airtel’s official statement further elaborated that the collaboration would involve exploring multiple opportunities, including offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, facilitating Starlink services for business customers, and providing connectivity to underserved areas. Additionally, both companies will assess how Starlink can enhance Airtel’s network and how Airtel’s infrastructure can support SpaceX’s services in India.
“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,” said Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel Ltd.
“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,” he added.
Airtel, which already has an alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb for satellite broadband services, is strengthening its position in the sector by incorporating Starlink into its offerings. This will enable the company to expand connectivity to previously underserved regions and offer enterprises and communities seamless broadband solutions.
Expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration, Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, said:
“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. 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.”
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using low Earth orbit technology to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband internet. The service supports a range of applications, including streaming, online gaming, and video calls. As SpaceX continues to expand its satellite network, the partnership with Airtel is expected to play a crucial role in bridging India’s digital divide and enabling enhanced connectivity solutions nationwide.
However, it should be noted that the centre has decided to distribute the spectrum administratively in compliance with international standards, despite the fact that Indian telecom companies generally supported the auction-based method.
Union telecom minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has clarified that to maintain equity and openness, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will set the price for this spectrum. Additionally, he has justified the decision to allot spectrum for satellite services rather than sell it at auction, stating that he wants people to have as many options as possible.
