Jio Platforms Ltd. has signed an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink satellite internet services in India. The partnership, announced on March 12, is subject to regulatory approvals, marking a significant step toward expanding high-speed broadband connectivity across the country.
Jio and Starlink: A Strategic Collaboration
The deal will enable Jio to offer Starlink services through its retail outlets and online platforms, making satellite internet more accessible in India’s rural and remote areas. Jio also plans to integrate Starlink with its JioFiber and JioAirFiber offerings, enhancing its broadband services.
“Ensuring that every Indian, no matter where they live, has access to affordable and high-speed broadband remains Jio’s top priority,” said Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio. “By integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem, we are expanding our reach and enhancing the reliability and accessibility of high-speed broadband in this AI-driven era.”
SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell also expressed optimism about the partnership. “We applaud Jio’s commitment to advancing India’s connectivity. We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorization from the Government of India to provide more people, organizations, and businesses with access to Starlink’s high-speed internet services.”
Regulatory Hurdles and Market Competition
Despite the ambitious collaboration, Starlink still requires approvals from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). So far, only Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio’s joint venture with SES have received GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) licenses and IN-SPACe approvals.
Last year, Elon Musk’s Starlink agreed to comply with the Indian government’s data localization and security requirements, which had been a major obstacle in securing approvals.
Jio’s partnership with SpaceX follows a similar deal announced by Bharti Airtel just a day earlier, highlighting growing competition in India’s satellite broadband sector.
Also read: Airtel, SpaceX Partner to Launch Starlink in India
India’s Expanding Space Economy
India is emerging as a major player in the global space economy, with IN-SPACe estimating that the sector will grow to $44 billion by 2033, capturing 8% of the global market share (up from the current 2%).
Meanwhile, Starlink already operates over 6,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and Amazon’s Kuiper project is set to deploy 3,236 satellites starting in early 2025.
With regulatory approvals pending, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to provide clarity on satellite spectrum pricing in the coming months. The Indian government has indicated that spectrum allocation for satellite services will involve an administrative fee, while telecom giants like Jio and Airtel continue to push for an auction-based model.
As the competition in India’s satellite broadband market intensifies, Jio’s partnership with Starlink could play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and expanding high-speed internet access to the country’s underserved regions.
