Bharti Airtel has announced a strategic partnership with SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, to introduce Starlink satellite internet services in India. This collaboration marks Starlink’s first formal agreement in India and aims to enhance internet connectivity across the country, especially in remote and underserved areas.
The announcement, made on March 11, highlights that the partnership is contingent upon SpaceX obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals from Indian authorities to operate Starlink services within the country. Airtel, which already has a partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, intends to integrate Starlink into its existing network, expanding its capability to offer reliable internet access nationwide.
Enhancing Connectivity with Satellite Internet
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “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.” Vittal highlighted that the collaboration will strengthen Airtel’s capacity to deliver high-speed broadband to even the most remote regions of the country.
The partnership will explore how Starlink’s satellite-based internet can enhance Airtel’s existing services. Airtel’s market reach and infrastructure are expected to complement SpaceX’s direct-to-consumer and enterprise offerings. This includes the possibility of distributing Starlink equipment through Airtel’s retail network and providing Starlink services to business customers.
“We are excited to work with Airtel and unlock the transformative impact Starlink can bring to the people of India,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX. “Airtel has played a pivotal role in India’s telecom sector, and working together to complement our direct offering makes strategic sense for our business.”
Regulatory Approvals and Market Competition
Despite the promising outlook, regulatory approvals remain a key challenge. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have yet to approve SpaceX’s request to operate Starlink in India.
Reports indicate that SpaceX has agreed to meet India’s data localisation and security requirements, which had previously been a major hurdle. Other competitors, such as Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio’s joint venture with SES, have already secured GMPCS licenses and IN-SPACe approvals.
Starlink currently operates over 6,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, while Amazon’s Kuiper project plans to launch 3,236 satellites starting in early 2025, with commercial services expected to begin later that year.
Future of India’s Space Economy
The Indian government is expected to allocate satellite communication spectrum through an administrative process with a defined fee structure, even as telecom operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel continue to advocate for spectrum allocation through auctions. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is anticipated to release details on the pricing structure for 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 the current 2%. The partnership between Airtel and SpaceX is expected to contribute significantly to this growth by expanding internet access and enhancing digital connectivity across the country.
