Reliance Jio Platforms Limited, owned by Mukesh Ambani, has entered into a partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide Starlink’s high-speed broadband internet services to customers in India. This collaboration is contingent upon SpaceX obtaining the necessary approvals to operate Starlink within the country.
Statements from the CEO regarding the Reliance Jio and Starlink partnership highlight the initiative’s significance. Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio, stated, “Our foremost objective is to ensure that every Indian, regardless of their location, has access to affordable and high-speed broadband. This partnership with SpaceX to introduce Starlink in India reinforces our dedication and represents a pivotal advancement towards achieving seamless broadband connectivity for all. By incorporating Starlink into Jio’s broadband framework, we are broadening our outreach and improving the reliability and accessibility of high-speed internet in this AI-driven age, thereby empowering communities and businesses nationwide.”
In terms of implementation, Reliance Jio plans to incorporate Starlink solutions into its retail locations and online platforms, facilitating customer access to Starlink equipment. Furthermore, Jio will create a support system for customer service, installation, and activation. This initiative complements Jio’s current broadband offerings, including JioAirFiber and JioFiber, by providing rapid and cost-effective high-speed internet solutions to underserved areas.
Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, expressed support for Jio’s efforts to enhance connectivity in India, stating, “We commend Jio’s commitment to improving connectivity across the nation. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with Jio and securing authorization from the Government of India to extend Starlink’s high-speed internet services to a broader audience, including individuals, organizations, and businesses.”
Additionally, Reliance Jio and SpaceX are exploring further areas of collaboration to optimize their respective infrastructures and enhance the digital landscape in India.
Airtel has recently entered into a partnership with SpaceX to provide Starlink’s high-speed internet services to its clientele in India. This collaboration aims to investigate how Starlink can enhance and broaden Airtel’s service offerings, while also leveraging Airtel’s extensive knowledge of the Indian market to complement SpaceX’s direct consumer and business services.
As stated in a press release from Airtel, the partnership will consider the possibility of offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail outlets, providing Starlink services to business clients, and creating opportunities to connect communities, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities, particularly in the most remote areas of India. Additionally, Airtel and SpaceX will assess how Starlink can contribute to the expansion and improvement of the Airtel network, as well as how SpaceX can utilize Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other resources within India.
