The business world’s movers and shakers always find ways to disrupt markets. Elon Musk has been in the news lately for both good and bad reasons. That includes his 8th Test Flight going down, major outages on X in the US and UK, and his lawsuits being rejected against OpenAI. Musk is strong and mighty, though, as he signs an astonishing deal with Bharti Airtel to offer high-speed satellite internet services across India, including rural areas.
This excites Airtel, as it will enhance its offerings in the Indian market. At the same time, billionaire Mukesh Ambani received a surprising blow—he has been trying to block Starlink from entering the country. Airtel said that the deal, however, is conditional. SpaceX must wait for approvals from IN-SPACe and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) before launching commercial operations in India.
Regulatory Challenges: Will Starlink Get the Green Signal?
While the Airtel-Starlink deal is a significant milestone, it is not yet a rollout plan. Musk’s previous attempt to launch Starlink in India in 2022 failed when the Indian government forced the company to refund pre-orders after being accused of “booking and rendering satellite internet services” without a proper license.
SpaceX is still awaiting approval on multiple regulatory fronts, including:
- Security compliance and data privacy clearances
- Service pricing approvals
- Intense lobbying from domestic telecom giants like Reliance Jio
Starlink vs. Jio: A High-Stakes Broadband Battle
The Airtel-Starlink partnership is a significant setback for Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator. Jio has been vigorously lobbying against Starlink’s entry while simultaneously working to launch its satellite broadband services.
Both companies have clashed over the method of satellite spectrum allocation:
- Reliance Jio pushed for a spectrum auction, which would have forced foreign players like SpaceX to invest billions.
- Musk and global satellite providers argued for administrative allocation, a system aligned with global norms.
- The Indian government ultimately sided with Starlink, making it easier for foreign satellite companies to enter.
With Jio having already spent $19 billion in airwave auctions, the company now faces an unexpected challenger in Starlink, which could lure away both broadband and mobile customers.
What Does the Airtel-Starlink Deal Include?
While financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, the key areas of collaboration include:
Retail Expansion – Starlink’s equipment will be sold through Airtel’s vast retail store network across India.
Business & Enterprise Services – Starlink will provide high-speed satellite broadband to Airtel’s business customers, especially in rural and remote areas.
Infrastructure Sharing – Both companies will explore using each other’s network infrastructure to enhance broadband coverage nationwide.
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director & Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, emphasized how Starlink’s capabilities will transform connectivity in India:
“Starlink will complement and enhance Airtel’s suite of products to ensure reliable and affordable broadband for our Indian customers – wherever they live and work,“
Gwynne Shotwell, President & COO of SpaceX, also highlighted Starlink’s potential impact:
“We are excited to work with Airtel and unlock the transformative impact Starlink can bring to the people of India. We are constantly amazed by the incredible and inspiring things that people, businesses and organizations do when they are connected via Starlink,“
India’s Satellite Broadband Revolution: Who Else is Competing?
India’s satellite broadband sector is heating up, with multiple players competing for dominance:
- Reliance Jio has already secured approvals for its satellite broadband venture with Luxembourg-based SES.
- Eutelsat OneWeb (backed by Airtel) is in the game, having received regulatory clearance to launch its services in late 2023.
- Amazon’s Project Kuiper is eyeing an entry into India, further intensifying competition.
Can Starlink Finally Launch in India?
While Starlink’s commercial rollout is still uncertain, the Airtel partnership marks a major step forward for Musk’s ambitions in India. If government approvals come through, Starlink could revolutionize India’s internet accessibility, particularly for underserved and remote communities. For now, all eyes are on India’s telecom regulators—whether they clear Starlink for launch or keep it grounded will decide the next chapter in India’s satellite internet revolution.
