Jio signs deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink's internet services to India

Reliance Jio joins hands with SpaceX for Starlink internet services in India. (Courtesy: Reuters photo)

Jio Platforms Ltd announced on March 12 that it has signed a pact to partner with Elon Musk's SpaceX to introduce Starlink's internet services to India. This development follows a similar deal made by rival Bharti Airtel the day before.

The agreement, contingent on SpaceX obtaining authorization to sell Starlink in India, allows Jio and SpaceX to explore ways Starlink can enhance Jio’s services and complement SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.

Jio will offer Starlink solutions through its retail outlets and online storefronts. The company plans to provide Starlink equipment in its physical stores and establish a customer service installation and activation process.

Through this partnership, the companies will leverage Jio’s position as the largest mobile operator globally in terms of data traffic, alongside Starlink’s status as the leading low Earth orbit satellite constellation operator, to deliver dependable broadband services across the country, including in the most rural and remote regions of India.

“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 agreement 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 complement JioAirFiber and JioFiber by providing fast and affordable internet to even the most challenging locations.

Jio and SpaceX are also exploring additional areas of collaboration to use their respective infrastructures to enhance India’s digital ecosystem.

"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.

However, regulatory approvals remain a significant hurdle for Starlink's launch in India. The Indian space regulator, IN-SPACe, and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have not yet authorized SpaceX to begin Starlink’s operations.

Moneycontrol reported on November 11 that the Elon Musk-led satellite company agreed to meet the Indian government’s data localization and security requirements, which had previously been a significant point of contention.

Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio’s joint venture with SES have already secured GMPCS licenses and IN-SPACe approvals.

Starlink currently operates over 6,000 LEO satellites, while Amazon’s Kuiper project plans to deploy 3,236 satellites starting in early 2025.

The Indian government has indicated that the satellite communication spectrum will be allocated administratively but will involve a fee structure. Meanwhile, telecom operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel continue to push for spectrum allocation through auctions.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to release details on the pricing structure for the satellite communication spectrum soon.

IN-SPACe projects that India’s space economy will grow to $44 billion by 2033, capturing 8% of the global market share, up from its current 2%.

Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary