Bharti Airtel has signed a landmark agreement with SpaceX to provide Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet services to customers in India, the company announced on Monday through a regulatory filing. This marks the first deal of its kind in India, pending SpaceX securing the necessary licenses to operate Starlink in the country.
The partnership aims to expand Airtel’s broadband reach, especially in remote and underserved areas where traditional connectivity options are limited or unavailable. Under this agreement, Airtel and SpaceX will explore opportunities to:
Distribute Starlink equipment through Airtel's retail network.
Offer Starlink services to businesses and communities across India.
Connect schools, health centers, and rural communities to reliable internet.
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, highlighted the strategic significance of this collaboration:
"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."
This agreement strengthens Airtel’s position in the Indian telecom market by adding satellite internet to its existing services. Airtel already provides satellite internet through its partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb. Adding Starlink will enable Airtel to offer more comprehensive and seamless internet solutions to both urban and rural customers.
The partnership also includes infrastructure sharing between Airtel and SpaceX. Starlink’s satellite network will benefit from Airtel’s ground infrastructure, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of satellite internet services in India.
Starlink's enterprise suite will allow Airtel to deliver tailored connectivity packages to businesses and rural customers, strengthening Airtel's ability to meet diverse customer needs.
Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, underscored the transformative potential of this partnership:
"We are excited to work with Airtel and unlock the transformative impact Starlink can bring to the people of India. The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in India's telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering makes great sense for our business."
This partnership aligns with India’s broader push to expand digital access and enhance connectivity infrastructure. By combining Airtel’s established market presence and ground network with SpaceX’s satellite technology, the deal has the potential to bridge the digital divide and provide high-speed internet access across India.
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