Kathmandu: India’s largest telecom firms, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have signed separate agreements with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite internet service to the country, the BBC reported.
The deals come despite past tensions between Musk and the companies and are conditional on government approval. SpaceX has faced regulatory hurdles since 2021.
Jio and Airtel plan to use Starlink’s network to expand broadband services, particularly in rural areas. Analysts say the move follows a policy shift favoring Musk, after India decided to allocate satellite spectrum instead of auctioning it—a stance opposed by Jio and Airtel.
If approved, the tie-ups could give Starlink access to 70% of India’s mobile users, with analysts predicting a potential price drop for satellite internet in the country.
Source: BBC