Mumbai: Elon Musk’s Starlink internet services will be launched in India through a partnership with Bharti Airtel, the country’s second-largest telecom operator by market share, according to the company’s Tuesday stock exchange filings.
The agreement between SpaceX and Airtel will allow the US company to market its equipment and services using the local partner’s nationwide retail store network. “This is the first agreement to be signed in India, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorizations to sell Starlink in India,” the statement noted, highlighting the need for Musk’s company to first obtain government approval to begin operations.
In March 2024, India’s internet user base was estimated to be 954.40 million, according to government data. In October, India decided to allot spectrum for satellite broadband administratively, instead of staging auctions. Musk’s rival, Indian telecom billionaire Mukesh Ambani, had previously insisted that an auction should take place.
In November 2024, Indian Telecommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had stated that Musk’s company has been seeking a way of operating in India and was working on obtaining security clearance from the government to offer satellite broadband services there. “When you check all the boxes, you get the license. If [Starlink can] do that, we will be very happy,” Scindia said.
