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Bharti Airtel has entered into a partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX to introduce Starlink's satellite internet services in India. This is the first such deal in the nation to offer satellite internet connectivity, targeting areas that are remote and underserved. The launch, however, depends on SpaceX getting regulatory approvals from the Indian government.
SpaceX has sought security clearance to launch Starlink in India. The application is pending consideration by the Home Ministry, postponing the mass launch of its services. In the meantime, Airtel's current satellite service, OneWeb, mainly serves businesses, so Starlink is a valuable addition to its consumer business.
The alliance also heightens the existing competition between Reliance Jio and SpaceX. The two firms have fought over spectrum distribution, with Jio supporting an auction while SpaceX prefers administrative distribution. The Indian government has taken the side of SpaceX, choosing administrative distribution instead of auctioning the spectrum.
Airtel and SpaceX will pursue various partnership opportunities under the deal, including:
Providing Starlink gear via Airtel's retail outlets.
Making available Starlink's satellite internet service to enterprises through Airtel.
Linking schools, clinics, and outlying communities using satellite internet.
Augmenting Airtel's network through Starlink.
Airtel plans to employ Starlink in addition to its current telecom facilities to increase accessibility in areas that are not serviceable by the conventional networks. The company's announcement emphasized how the collaboration fulfills its aim of country-wide coverage, mitigating the digital divide in India.
Gopal Vittal, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, highlighted the importance of the agreement, saying:
"Partnering with SpaceX to bring Starlink to Airtel customers in India is an important milestone and further shows our commitment to next-generation satellite connectivity."
SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell also sounded upbeat, saying:
"Airtel's team has been instrumental in India's telecom narrative, so it makes perfect sense for our business to work with them to augment our direct offering."
The alliance is also at a time when India's satellite internet market is growing rapidly. With Reliance Jio also set to introduce satellite services via JioSpaceFiber, competition is likely to get fiercer. As connectivity solutions become more sophisticated, alliances like Airtel-SpaceX may be pivotal in delivering high-speed internet to rural and underserved markets.
Although the deal is a landmark achievement, it is subject to regulatory clearance and the attitude of the Indian government toward foreign satellite internet companies. In the meantime, Airtel and SpaceX's partnership indicates a leap towards changing India's digital landscape.
