- Mukesh Ambani’s Jio to offer SpaceX’s Starlink service in India.
- Partnership aims to provide internet access to remote areas.
What happened: Jio and SpaceX collaborate to launch Starlink in India
Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, announced a partnership with Elon Musk‘s SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet service to India. This collaboration marks a significant step forward for both companies in the race to expand internet access to underserved and rural regions of the country.
The announcement follows a similar deal signed by Bharti Airtel, a rival telecommunications giant, and comes months after a public clash between the two companies over satellite spectrum allocation. This partnership will see Jio offer Starlink equipment at its retail outlets and assist with customer service, installation, and activation. The deal is expected to leverage Jio’s position as the world’s largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic to facilitate reliable broadband service across India, particularly in rural and remote locations.
However, the deal’s final approval is contingent on SpaceX receiving necessary authorisations to sell Starlink in India, a process that is reportedly nearing completion. The collaboration is significant as it will pave the way for a mass rollout of satellite broadband, a development that has sparked debate in India over issues like pricing and regulatory concerns.
Jio and SpaceX’s partnership comes just after a high-profile meeting between Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which further solidified the growing relationship between Indian telecoms and global tech firms.
Also read: Airtel partners with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India
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Why it’s important
This collaboration between Jio and SpaceX is a major development in India’s telecommunications industry, particularly in terms of internet access for rural and remote regions. With over 1.4 billion people, India has one of the largest populations in the world, and expanding internet access is a critical issue for the country’s economic and social development. Satellite broadband services like Starlink offer the potential to reach areas that traditional internet infrastructure cannot, providing a vital service to underserved communities.
The deal also highlights the growing importance of satellite-based internet services in the global telecom sector. Companies like SpaceX, which has revolutionised satellite technology, and Jio, a dominant force in India’s telecom market, are coming together to address the digital divide in a country where internet access is still limited in many areas. This partnership could set a precedent for future collaborations between international tech giants and local telecom operators in other emerging markets.
Furthermore, the regulatory hurdles surrounding the launch of Starlink in India underscore the challenges that SpaceX and other satellite providers face in expanding their services in new markets. The approval process for Starlink’s licence in India will be closely watched by other countries considering similar services.
