TL; DR
- The partnership enables the companies to benefit each other in India’s ever-evolving telecom industry.
- Airtel’s Starlink alliance will work alongside the one with Eutelsat OneWeb (which already has the required permissions to launch satellite-based internet service).
- It is important to mention that everything in the press release, including SpaceX and Airtel’s plans to benefit each other, depends on the former’s regulatory clearance on service pricing and security.
On Tuesday, SpaceX entered an agreement with the Indian telecom provider Airtel to launch its Starlink internet services in India. Although this is the first agreement between the companies to be signed in India, SpaceX is awaiting regulatory clearance from the Department of Telecommunications and IN-SPACe to sell Starlink in the region.
Even so, this is a dramatic event in the Indian telecom industry, as the biggest provider in the country, Reliance Jio, has exactly shown its support to Elon Musk’s Starlink. Just last year, Jio won approval from the space regulatory body to operate satellites and, eventually, sell its satellite broadband services in the region.
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What Does The Partnership Between SpaceX And Airtel Entail?
The partnership enables the companies to benefit each other in India’s ever-evolving telecom industry. They’ll explore how Starlink can “complement and expand” Airtel’s offerings (including enhancing the telco’s network) and how Airtel’s expertise in the region and ground network infrastructure can benefit “SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.”
As mentioned in the press release, Airtel could start offering Starlink equipment via its retail stores (after receiving the required regulatory approvals) and services via Aitel “to business customers, opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centers, among many others.”
Starlink Is Yet To Get The Required Regulatory Permissions
Airtel’s Starlink alliance will work alongside the one with Eutelsat OneWeb (which already has the required permissions to launch satellite-based internet service), allowing Airtel to offer nationwide offerings, even in the most rural parts of India. “With Starlink enterprise suite, Airtel will be able to offer enterprises, businesses, and communities comprehensive and seamless connectivity packages,” the press release mentions.
It is important to mention that everything in the press release, including SpaceX and Airtel’s plans to benefit each other, depends on the former’s regulatory clearance on service pricing and security. The partnership with the companies results from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to improving the trade relations between the countries.
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“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,” said Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel Ltd. What turn does this partnership take, and how do regional competitors challenge it is something in the holds of the future.
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