After Airtel, Jio announces partnership with SpaceX to bring Starlink internet to India

A day after Airtel announced its partnership with SpaceX, Mukesh Ambani's Jio said it had reached a similar agreement with Elon Musk's company.

Jio Platforms Ltd announced on March 12 that it has signed a deal to introduce Starlink's internet services to India.

The agreement is based on SpaceX obtaining authorization to sell Starlink in India, which will allow Jio and SpaceX to explore how Starlink can enhance Jio’s services and complement SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.

The service will be offered through Jio’s retail outlets and online storefronts where the company will be providing Starlink with equipment in its physical stores and establish a customer service installation and activation process.

“Ensuring that every Indian, no matter where they live, has access to affordable and high-speed broadband remains Jio’s top priority. Our collaboration with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India strengthens our commitment and marks a transformative step toward seamless broadband connectivity for all," said Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio.

“By integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem, we are expanding our reach and enhancing the reliability and accessibility of high-speed broadband in this AI-driven era, empowering communities and businesses across the country,” he added.

This deal with SpaceX forms part of Jio’s commitment to making reliable internet accessible to all enterprises, small and medium businesses, and communities throughout India.

Starlink will be offered alongside JioAirFiber and JioFiber by providing fast and affordable internet even in the most challenging locations.

“Through this agreement, the parties will leverage Jio’s position as the world's largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic and Starlink’s position as the world’s leading low Earth orbit satellite constellation operator to deliver reliable broadband services across the country, including the most rural and remote regions of India. Jio will not only offer Starlink equipment in its retail outlets but will establish a mechanism to support customer service installation and activation,” Jio said in a media release.

"We applaud Jio’s commitment to advancing India’s connectivity. We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorization from the Government of India to provide more people, organizations, and businesses with access to Starlink's high-speed internet services," said Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX.

On March 11, Bharti Airtel also made a similar announcement saying it has signed a deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX to bring Starlink internet to India.

This was the first agreement to be signed in India, which is also subject to SpaceX receiving its authorizations to sell Starlink in the country.

“Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centers, among many others, in even the most rural parts of India,” Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

Notably, even though the agreements are done, the Indian space regulator, IN-SPACe, and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have not yet authorized SpaceX to begin Starlink’s operations.