It has been reported that under this agreement, Bharti Airtel and Spacex will jointly work to improve Airtel’s existing service from Starlink’s satellite connectivity. In addition, Airtel’s retail stores plan to provide Equipment of Starlink, start its service for business and enterprise customers and to connect schools, health centers and undersved communities in rural areas with the Internet.
Airtel and Spacex will also assess how Starlink can further improve Indian telecom operator, Airtel’s network and Spacex can benefit from Airtel’s ground infrastructure and other features for its service in India. This deal will also give Airtel a low-end orbit satellite connectivity of Starlink in addition to the pre-ongoing ONEWEB Satellite service, which will further strengthen its coverage across the country.
Airtel’s managing director and vice chairman Gopal Vittal said on this partnership, “Starlink will improve the products of Airtel, which will provide affordable and reliable broadband service everywhere to our Indian customers.”
Spacex’s President and COO Gin Shotwell said, “Airtel has played an important role in India’s telecom industry. Working with him is a great decision for our business.”
It is worth noting that in November 2023, Airtel-backed Onweeb received approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authority Center (IN-SPACE) to launch Commercial Satellite Broadband Service in India. Onweeb became the first organization to get such approval from the Government of India. Subsequently, in December 2023, Airtel also bought Minority Stake at Onweeb. The aim of Onweb is to provide high-speed, space-based internet service at the global level.