Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has announced a collaboration with SpaceX to provide Starlink’s satellite broadband services to customers in India. This partnership, which awaits regulatory approval, aims to enhance Jio’s service offerings and will include the sale of Starlink equipment through Jio’s retail outlets and online platforms.
In addition to selling equipment, Jio will facilitate customer service, installation, and activation for Starlink products. This announcement coincides with a similar partnership between Airtel, another major Indian telecom operator, and SpaceX, both of which must secure regulatory clearance from Indian authorities.
Jio’s partnership is set to offer SpaceX’s internet services nationally to enterprise clients. The two companies also plan to explore additional collaborative opportunities to leverage their infrastructure across India, which boasts the world’s largest population.
Mathew Oommen, the Group CEO of Reliance Jio, highlighted that integrating Starlink into their broadband ecosystem will significantly enhance the reliability and accessibility of high-speed internet, empowering businesses and communities across the nation.
SpaceX has previously attempted to penetrate the Indian market but had to refund preorders in 2022 after government scrutiny over the lack of necessary approvals for satellite internet services. This latest initiative follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the U.S., where he met Elon Musk and other officials to discuss various technological partnerships, including a global subsea cable project.
Alongside this partnership with SpaceX, Jio has been developing its satellite internet service, JioSpaceFiber, in collaboration with SES. This competing service has already undergone testing in various districts and received necessary approvals last year.
The forthcoming rollout of Starlink will be closely observed, especially considering the existing satellite broadband initiatives by Jio and Airtel. Interestingly, both companies previously opposed the Indian government’s move to potentially ease Starlink’s market entry through administrative channels rather than the traditional auction process.
For now, both Jio and SpaceX appear aligned in their objectives. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Jio to ensure broader access to high-speed internet services across India, pending governmental authorization.
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