Starlink’s India Entry: Why Are Jio and Airtel Teaming Up with SpaceX?

SpaceX’s Starlink is gearing up for its launch in India, but what makes this move even more intriguing is the unexpected partnerships with two of India’s biggest telecom giants—Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

Despite previously opposing SpaceX on satellite spectrum allocation, both telcos have now announced collaborations to bring Starlink’s broadband services to the country, as per news reports.

Why Jio and Airtel Are Teaming Up with Starlink?

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have well-established satellite broadband ventures—Jio with SES and Airtel through Eutelsat OneWeb. The companies stated that the collaboration will help expand high-speed internet access, particularly to underserved and remote regions.

Starlink has successfully partnered with telecom operators globally, including T-Mobile (US), Rogers (Canada), Optus (Australia), and KDDI (Japan). With its entry into India, the company may leverage Jio and Airtel’s infrastructure to establish its foothold, just as it has done in other countries, as per news reports.

Understanding Satellite Communication and Its Role in India

Satellite communication (Satcom) plays a crucial role in regions where fiber-optic networks are impractical. It enables connectivity in remote, mountainous, and disaster-prone areas. While terrestrial networks are faster and more cost-effective, satellite-based services provide coverage over vast distances with minimal latency.

According to Deloitte, India’s satellite broadband market is projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, growing at a 36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The demand for satellite-based internet is expected to increase, particularly in areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is not viable.

Impact on India’s Telecom Sector

The partnership is likely to complement, rather than compete with, their fiber broadband offerings such as Jio Fiber and Airtel Xstream Fiber.

Sunil Mittal, chairman of Bharti Airtel, emphasised that satellite broadband will primarily cater to rural and underserved regions. Additionally, satellite services are generally more expensive than traditional broadband, making them less attractive for urban and semi-urban customers who have access to affordable, high-speed fiber networks.

India’s Broadband Market and Starlink’s Global Reach

As of December 2024, Reliance Jio dominates India’s broadband market with a 50% share and 477 million subscribers. Bharti Airtel follows with 30.62% (289 million users), while Vodafone Idea holds 13.37%.

Globally, Starlink has exceeded 4.6 million users, with around 1.4 million subscribers in the US alone. Its satellite constellation currently consists of 6,750 satellites.

Regulatory Challenges and Security Concerns

One of the biggest hurdles for Starlink in India is obtaining regulatory approvals. The company applied for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license in 2022, which is mandatory for satellite-based services in the country.

The Indian government has laid out stringent conditions for approval, including compliance with security regulations, call data record sharing with authorities when required, and ensuring that all calls routed through its network pass through a designated GMPCS gateway in India.

Conclusion

Starlink’s entry into India, backed by partnerships with Jio and Airtel, could transform satellite broadband accessibility in the country. While the move is expected to boost rural connectivity, regulatory challenges and security concerns may slow its rollout. As India’s satellite broadband market grows, it remains to be seen how this collaboration will shape the future of digital connectivity in the region.

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