

Reliance joins the race! Jio signs deal to bring SpaceX's Starlink internet to India after Airtel's pact
Reliance Jio has announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer Starlink satellite internet services in India. The deal, however, hinges on government approval before SpaceX can begin operations in the country. Under the agreement, Jio will make Starlink equipment available in its retail stores and online platforms while also providing installation support.
This collaboration comes after a previous clash between the two companies over spectrum allocation for satellite services. While Jio pushed for an auction, the Indian government sided with Musk’s preference for administrative allocation, in line with global practices.
Jio’s announcement comes just a day after Bharti Airtel inked a similar deal with SpaceX. Airtel, which has a long-standing presence in satellite communications through its OneWeb project, is positioning itself to leverage Starlink’s capabilities. The two telecom giants are now set to compete not only in traditional broadband but also in the satellite internet space. Both deals are conditional upon Starlink obtaining government approval to begin operations in the country.
“We applaud Jio’s commitment to advancing India’s connectivity” said Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX. “We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorisation from the Government of India to provide more people, organisations and businesses with access to Starlink’s high-speed internet services.”
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