The North News
Mumbai, March 12
The Jio Platforms Limited (JPL) on Wednesday signed an agreement with SpaceX to offer Starlink broadband services in India just a day after Bharti Airtel’s partnership with the satellite internet provider. The deal depends on SpaceX getting approval from authorities to sell Starlink services in the country.
The collaboration follows a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Starlink. Under the agreement, Jio and SpaceX will leverage their strengths—Jio as the world’s largest data traffic carrier and Starlink as a leading low Earth orbit satellite operator—to enhance broadband access across India, including remote and rural areas.
Jio will not only offer Starlink equipment through its outlets but will also establish customer service and installation support. The deal aligns with Jio’s broader commitment to digital inclusion by complementing its existing JioFiber and JioAirFiber services with high-speed satellite internet.
Mathew Oommen, CEO of Reliance Jio, described the partnership as a “transformative step” toward seamless broadband connectivity. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said the company looked forward to working with Jio and securing government approvals to expand Starlink’s reach in India.
