Jio Platforms, a Reliance Industries subsidiary, has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer Starlink satellite broadband internet services in India. The collaboration, subject to regulatory approvals, aims to extend Jio’s internet offerings using Starlink’s satellite network after Airtel did the same.
Jio, through this alliance, will not only facilitate Starlink equipment sales but also assist with customer service, installation, and activation, reports TechCrunch.
This announcement by Jio follows a similar development earlier when Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom provider, revealed its own partnership with SpaceX. Airtel’s agreement, like Jio’s, remains contingent upon regulatory clearances from the Department of Telecommunications and the Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Center (IN-SAPCe).
India’s telecom sector has been increasingly focusing on satellite broadband, with Jio and Airtel both investing in alternative solutions beyond traditional fiber and mobile networks. Jio’s venture into satellite internet is not limited to SpaceX collaboration. The company has been actively developing its own satellite-based broadband service, JioSpaceFiber, in partnership with Luxembourg-based SES.
JioSpaceFiber has already undergone trials in four districts and received IN-SPACe approval last year.
Airtel, on the other hand, has ben working with OneWeb, the satellite internet firm in which it holds a major stake, to expand connectivity in remote regions.
SpaceX’s previous attempt to establish a presence in India faced regulatory setbacks. In 2022, the company had to refund preorders for Starlink equipment after the Indian equipment after the Indian government objected to its service launch without prior approval.
Interestingly, Jio and Airtel had both previously opposed a government proposal to allow Starlink’s entry through an administrative process rather than the conventional auction system used for spectrum allocation. However, with their recent collaborations with SpaceX, the telcos now appear to have pivoted towards a more cooperative stance.
“By integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem, we are expanding our reach and enhancing the reliability and accessibility of highspeed broadband in this AI-driven era, empowering communities and businesses across the country,” said Mathew Oomen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio.
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