After Airtel, Reliance Jio strikes deal with SpaceX for Starlink internet in India

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has forged a strategic partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to introduce Starlink satellite internet services in India.

The unexpected collaboration marks a shift in the telecom landscape, as the two billionaires had previously clashed over spectrum allocation policies.

ANI

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Jio Platforms Limited (JPL) announced an agreement with SpaceX to offer Starlink’s broadband internet services to its customers in India.

8:47 AM · Mar 12, 2025

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The deal, which comes just a day after Starlink announced a similar agreement with Bharti Airtel, signals a major push for satellite-based broadband connectivity in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.

Bharti Airtel

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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…

4:45 PM · Mar 11, 2025

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The partnership will enable Jio to distribute Starlink’s satellite internet equipment through its extensive retail network, providing the service with a widespread distribution channel across India.

However, both agreements remain subject to regulatory approvals, as Starlink has been awaiting licensing clearance since 2022 due to national security concerns.

India’s satellite internet market is poised for significant expansion, with Deloitte projecting a 36% annual growth rate, reaching $1.9 billion by 2030.

The push for satellite broadband aligns with the government’s broader digital inclusion goals, aiming to improve connectivity in remote and underserved regions.

The deal also comes on the heels of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Musk in Washington, where they discussed advancements in space, mobility, and technology.

Industry experts believe Starlink’s entry into India will intensify competition in the satellite broadband sector, challenging existing players and traditional telecom giants.

Reliance Jio, already a dominant force in India’s telecom industry, operates a satellite broadband joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES and has secured approvals to launch commercial satellite services.

The latest partnership with SpaceX reinforces Jio’s ambition to lead India’s next wave of digital connectivity.

For Musk, India represents a crucial market not just for Starlink but also for Tesla, which recently secured a deal to open its first showroom in the country.

However, Tesla faces steep import tariffs exceeding 100%, a point Musk has frequently criticized.

As Starlink navigates regulatory hurdles, its alliances with India’s top telecom operators indicate a strategic shift—turning former rivals into partners to unlock the vast potential of the Indian satellite broadband market.

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