Airtel inks agreement with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite internet services

Industry experts explained that the reason behind Airtel and SpaceX’s partnership is so that the former can offer consumer satellite services in the country, as its own satellite service, OneWeb, is focused more towards the business end. The development also heats up the fight between Reliance Jio and Musk’s SpaceX, who have previously disagreed over how spectrum for such services should be assigned – with Jio calling for an auction, but SpaceX insisting on the administrative route. The government has decided to go with administrative allocation.

The partnership, Airtel said, enables the company to “explore how Starlink can complement and expand Airtel’s offerings, and how Airtel’s expertise in the Indian market complements SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses”.

As part of the agreement, Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centers, among many others, in some of the most rural parts of India.

“Airtel and SpaceX will also explore how Starlink could help expand and enhance the Airtel network, as well as SpaceX’s ability to utilise and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in India,” Airtel said in a statement.

“By adding Starlink, (in addition to its existing alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb) to its offerings, Airtel will further its ability to offer nationwide connectivity and connect previously underserved areas, particularly those with limited to no coverage today,” the company added. “With Starlink enterprise suite, Airtel will be able to offer enterprises, businesses, and communities…connectivity packages.”

Gopal Vittal, managing director and vice-chairman, Bharti Airtel, said: “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”.

“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,” said Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX.