Airtel, SpaceX Join Hands To Bring Starlink Internet Services To India

Bharti Airtel on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership with Elon Musk-owned SpaceX to introduce Starlink satellite Internet services in India. According to a joint announcement from both companies, this collaboration represents Starlink's first official partnership agreement in India, which had earlier hit roadblocks.

This partnership remains subject to regulatory approval, and SpaceX must first secure the necessary clearances from Indian authorities before Starlink services can become operational in the country.

“Working with SpaceX to offer Starlink to Airtel customers in India is a significant milestone and further demonstrates our commitment to next-generation satellite connectivity,” Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel Ltd., said in a statement. 

“This collaboration enhances our ability to bring world-class high-speed broadband to even the most remote parts of India, ensuring that every individual, business, and community has reliable internet. 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.”

Under the partnership, Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in its retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, and provide the space to connect communities, schools, and health centres, among many others, in even the most rural parts of India. 

Airtel and SpaceX will also explore how Starlink could help expand and enhance the Airtel network, as well as SpaceX’s ability to use and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in India.