Elon Musk’s Starlink is setting its sights on India, the world’s most populous market, by forging a strategic partnership with Bharti Airtel, a leading Indian telecom operator.
The two companies have signed a deal to explore the feasibility of bringing Starlink’s satellite internet services to Indian customers, although the venture remains contingent on securing crucial government approval, according to a report in Associated Press Finance.
Musk has long expressed a strong desire to bring Starlink to India, but its entry has been hampered by a series of regulatory challenges, security concerns, and resistance from established domestic telecom giants like Reliance Jio, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, emphasized in a statement that the partnership with Starlink hinges on SpaceX’s ability to obtain the necessary government approvals to commence operations in India.
The need for reliable internet access in India is undeniable.
At least 40% of India’s vast population of over 1.4 billion people still lack internet connectivity.
Affordable satellite broadband is seen as a critical solution to bridge this digital divide, particularly in India’s remote and mountainous regions where traditional internet infrastructure is difficult to deploy.
Satellite power: Starlink’s global reach
Musk’s Starlink boasts a constellation of at least 6,900 active satellites orbiting Earth, providing low-latency broadband services to areas where internet access was previously unavailable.
This extensive network positions Starlink as a potential game-changer for connecting underserved communities in India.
However, regulatory hurdles persist.
As recently as last November, India’s telecoms minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, stated that Starlink had yet to fully comply with security norms, clarifying that a license for satellite communications services would be issued only after the company meets all the requirements.
Modi’s endorsement: a positive sign for the partnership
The announcement of the Airtel partnership follows a recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Elon Musk in Washington.
Discussions during that meeting covered a range of topics, including space, mobility, technology, and innovation, suggesting a growing alignment between the Indian government and Musk’s ventures.
The deal will “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,” according to the company’s statement.
As part of the agreement, the two companies will explore offering Starlink equipment at Airtel’s vast retail store network, providing Starlink services through Airtel to business customers, and utilizing each other’s network infrastructure to enhance coverage across India.
While the details of the partnership remain limited, the collaboration between Starlink and Bharti Airtel represents a significant step towards bringing satellite internet to India, potentially transforming connectivity for millions of people across the country.
The coming months will be critical as the companies work to navigate the regulatory landscape and secure the necessary approvals to make this vision a reality.
The post Musk’s India play: Starlink taps Airtel for satellite internet push amid regulatory challenges appeared first on Invezz
