Reliance Jio Follows Suit: Inks similar agreement with SpaceX for Starlink in India after Airtel.......by KBS Sidhu

Both Jio and Airtel's to Partner with Elon Musk's SpaceX's Starlink in India

New Delhi: A day after Bharti Airtel announced its agreement with SpaceX, Reliance Jio followed suit, revealing its own partnership on March 12, 2025. This strategic move—seemingly in concert with Airtel— signals Jio’s intent to leverage Starlink’s satellite internet technology to expand broadband access across India.

While the agreement remains subject to regulatory approvals, Jio, much like Bharti Telecom, has signed up to distribute Starlink’s services through its retail network, setting up installation infrastructure, and providing customer support.

Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio, called the partnership a "major step toward seamless connectivity for all," emphasizing its alignment with Jio’s mission to bring high-speed internet to every Indian, regardless of location. Jio plans to integrate Starlink into its existing broadband ecosystem, which already includes JioFiber and JioAirFiber, to extend coverage into hard-to-reach regions.

The Competitive Response: Airtel’s Agreement with Starlink

Just a day before Jio's announcement, Bharti Airtel disclosed its own partnership with SpaceX on March 11, 2025. Under this agreement, Airtel and SpaceX are exploring retail distribution of Starlink hardware and enterprise services. Airtel aims to complement its existing broadband infrastructure with Starlink’s satellite technology, focusing on bridging India’s digital divide.

Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, highlighted the partnership as a commitment to "next-generation satellite connectivity" and a means to enhance high-speed broadband accessibility in remote areas.

From Opposition to Collaboration: A Strategic Reversal

Spectrum Disputes and Market Resistance

The rapid shift toward partnerships with SpaceX is especially striking given the prior opposition from both Jio and Airtel. Until early March 2025, both companies had lobbied the government for stricter regulatory controls on Starlink, arguing for a fair playing field in satellite broadband.

The primary conflict revolved around the methodology for satellite spectrum allocation. While SpaceX and other satellite operators like Amazon’s Project Kuiper advocated for administrative allocation—consistent with global standards—Jio and Airtel pushed for an auction-based system similar to terrestrial spectrum sales. Having invested heavily in spectrum rights, they were wary of satellite operators gaining entry under more favorable conditions.

During a contentious Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) hearing in November 2024, Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea jointly called for auction-based spectrum allocation, while Starlink defended the need for administrative licensing.

This rare alignment between Jio and Airtel underscored their shared concerns over Starlink’s market entry.

The Government’s Decisive Stand

The debate ended in December 2023 when the Indian government ruled that satellite spectrum would be allocated administratively rather than through auctions. This decision effectively cleared the path for Starlink’s operations in India, leading to a strategic realignment among telecom giants. Having lost the regulatory battle, Jio and Airtel swiftly pivoted to collaboration rather than continued resistance.

Regulatory and Implementation Challenges

Pending Authorizations for Starlink in India

Despite the partnership announcements, Starlink's operations in India remain subject to key regulatory approvals. SpaceX is awaiting security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs and additional approvals from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).While the government has signaled openness to satellite broadband expansion, final licensing details are still under negotiation.

Technical and Operational Integration

Both telecom giants are working on strategies to integrate Starlink’s satellite services with their existing infrastructure:

• Jio aims to bundle Starlink with JioFiber and JioAirFiber, expanding coverage to areas where terrestrial networks are unviable.
• Airtel, which already has an enterprise-focused partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, will position Starlink as a complementary offering targeting rural and remote users.

Both companies will need to develop installation networks, customer support mechanisms, and localized pricing structures to make Starlink viable for Indian consumers.

Impact on India’s Digital Landscape

Intensified Competition in the Broadband Sector

The simultaneous entry of Jio and Airtel into the Starlink ecosystem has escalated competition in India’s satellite broadband market. Airtel’s dual-satellite strategy—leveraging both Eutelsat OneWeb and Starlink—positions it as a key player in enterprise and consumer connectivity. Meanwhile, Jio’s existing joint venture with SES and its Starlink deal bolster its broadband expansion strategy.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper, set to deploy over 3,200 satellites in the near future, further intensifies the competitive landscape.

As these global players enter India, consumers stand to benefit from enhanced service offerings and potentially lower costs.

Expanding Rural Connectivity

One of the most transformative impacts of these partnerships is the potential for enhanced rural internet access.

Traditional telecom infrastructure has struggled to reach remote villages, leaving millions without reliable internet. Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network offers a solution that bypasses the need for costly ground infrastructure, enabling high-speed connectivity in areas where fiber-optic deployment is impractical.

Both Jio and Airtel have highlighted plans to deploy Starlink services in rural schools, healthcare facilities, and government offices, positioning satellite internet as a key driver of India’s digital inclusion initiatives.

In Summary: A Pragmatic Business Shift

The strategic shift from opposition to partnership reflects the adaptability of India’s telecom giants. With regulatory battles over spectrum allocation settled, both Jio and Airtel have chosen to align with SpaceX’s Starlink rather than continue resistance.

These partnerships mark a significant moment in India’s broadband evolution, bringing high-speed satellite internet to rural and urban consumers alike.

While challenges remain, particularly around regulatory approvals and pricing strategies, the collaborations between Starlink, Jio, and Airtel set the stage for a new era in Indian digital connectivity.

Interestingly, the evolving landscape of India’s indigenous telecom sector has gradually shifted from intense, cut-throat competition to a more strategic blend of rivalry and collaboration—embracing the model of "coopetition."

 This new approach reflects a pragmatic recognition that partnerships, even among competitors, are essential to navigating the rapidly changing technological and regulatory environment. And, the Indian consumer will have more options to choose from— win-win-win situation for everyone.

March 12, 2025