Airtel-Starlink pact: Mittal, Musk edge past Ambani in satellite internet race
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: Sunil Mittal-chaired Bharti Airtel Ltd has inked a pact with Elon Musk-backed Starlink to offer satellite internet services in India, raising the stakes in the battle with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. Starlink’s service will be marketed in India through Airtel.
However, the Bharti group company, in its exchange filing on Tuesday, did not indicate the launch—it is a pre-emptive agreement between the two companies. Airtel already has a joint venture agreement with UK-based satellite operator OneWeb. While OneWeb’s infrastructure will be used to offer connectivity to enterprises, SpaceX-owned Starlink will provide services to consumers directly, two senior executives aware of the development at Airtel said.
Dubbed a ‘battle of the billionaires,’ the impending launch of satellite internet in India has continued for nearly two years. Ambani’s Reliance Jio has written to the Centre multiple times seeking spectrum auction—a format that was abolished with the passing of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Also read | Advantage Musk, Starlink as Trump prepares for second tenure The Starlink launch will, however, have to wait till the company procures an operating licence from the ministry of communications.
Also pending is the allocation of satellite spectrum for operators in India—which is expected by June, Mint reported on 5 March. The Starlink agreement will “enhance the ability to bring world-class high-speed broadband to even the most remote parts of India, ensuring that every individual, business, and community has reliable internet", Airtel’s managing director Gopal Vittal said in a statement. Gwynne Shotwell, chief operating officer of SpaceX, added that “working
. Read on livemint.com