Jio, Airtel And Starlink: Bharti Airtel and Jio Platforms has separately formed a strategic alliance with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite internet services to their respective customers in India. Airtel’s collaboration with SpaceX, announced on March 11, represents Starlink’s inaugural partnership in the Indian market.
Moreover, Jio Platforms announced the agreement with SpaceX on March 12, to offer Starlink’s broadband internet services to its customers in India. However, both these agreements are subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorizations to sell Starlink in India.
Jio, Airtel And Starlink: What’s New?
For Airtel And Starlink:
The agreement enables Airtel and SpaceX to further explore how Starlink can complement and expand Airtel’s offerings, and how Airtel’s expertise in the Indian market complements SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses. By adding Starlink, (in addition to its existing alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb) to its offerings, Airtel will enhance its ability to offer nationwide connectivity and connect previously underserved areas, particularly those with limited to no coverage today. With Starlink enterprise suite, Airtel will be able to offer enterprises, businesses, and communities comprehensive and seamless connectivity packages.
For Jio And Starlink:
“Through this agreement, the parties will leverage Jio’s position as the world’s largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic and Starlink’s position as the world’s leading low Earth orbit satellite constellation operator to deliver reliable broadband services across the country, including the most rural and remote regions of India,” read a press release by Jio Platforms.
“The agreement with SpaceX is part of Jio’s commitment to ensuring that reliable internet is fully accessible to all enterprises, small and medium businesses, and communities across India. Starlink complements JioAirFiber and JioFiber by extending high speed internet to the most challenging of locations in a quick and affordable manner,” said the company.
What Next?
“Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centers, among many others, in even the most rural parts of India. Airtel and SpaceX will also explore how Starlink could help expand and enhance the Airtel network, as well as SpaceX’s ability to utilize and benefit from Airtel’s ground network infrastructure and other capabilities in India,” said Bharti Airtel in its press release.
The agreement enables Jio and SpaceX to explore how Starlink can extend Jio’s offerings and how Jio can complement SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses. Moreover, Jio will make Starlink solutions available through its retail outlets as well as through its online storefronts.
Notably, under the agreement, Jio will not only offer Starlink equipment in its retail outlets but will establish a mechanism to support customer service installation and activation.
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