Reliance Jio on Wednesday signed a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink’s internet services to India. However, the agreement is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorisation to sell Starlink in India. The development came a day after Bharti Airtel signed an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite internet services to India.
In its statement, Jio said it will offer Starlink equipment in its retail outlets and online stores, and will also provide installation support for the devices.
“The agreement with SpaceX is part of Jio’s commitment to ensuring that reliable
internet is fully accessible to all enterprises, small and medium businesses, and
communities across India. Starlink complements JioAirFiber and JioFiber by extending
high speed internet to the most challenging of locations in a quick and affordable
manner,” Reliance Jio’s statement read.
The deal will enable Jio to distribute Starlink 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. The agreement with SpaceX is part of Jio’s commitment to ensuring that reliable internet is fully accessible to all enterprises, small and medium businesses, and communities across India,” the company said.
Jio and SpaceX are also exploring the possibility of integrating their infrasturcture to further strengthen the digital ecosystem in India.
Commenting on the deal, Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, said, “We applaud Jio’s commitment to advancing India’s connectivity. We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorisation from the Government of India to provide more people, organisations and businesses with access to Starlink’s high-speed internet services.”
Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite will prove to be a game changer for remote villages in Himalayas, islands, and isolated rural areas, where it is difficult to lay fibre or set up cell towers. Starlink will bypass the traditional infrastructure barriers as it will bring internet services to India directly from space.
Mathew Oommen, group CEO at Reliance Jio, said: “Our collaboration with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India strengthens our commitment and marks a transformative step toward seamless broadband connectivity for all. 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.”
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