Reliance Jio announces SpaceX Starlink partnership

Reliance Jio, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has announced a strategic partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to introduce Starlink satellite internet services in India.

Stars are aligned! ⭐

Jio + @SpaceX = @Starlink for #DigitalIndia#WithLoveFromJio pic.twitter.com/oPDdaCcm5o

— Reliance Jio (@reliancejio) March 12, 2025

This unexpected collaboration follows months of disputes over spectrum allocation for satellite services.

The agreement, announced Wednesday by Jio Platforms—the arm overseeing Reliance’s telecom and digital operations—remains contingent on SpaceX obtaining authorisation to sell Starlink in India.

Through this partnership, Jio plans to offer Starlink equipment via its retail stores and online platforms.

The companies aim to leverage Jio’s status as the largest global mobile operator by data traffic and SpaceX’s expertise in low-earth orbit satellite technology to provide reliable broadband in India, including its most remote regions.

The deal mirrors a similar announcement made by Bharti Airtel, led by Sunil Bharti Mittal, which also partnered with SpaceX.

Both Jio and Airtel had previously lobbied for a spectrum auction, fearing administrative allocation could grant SpaceX an unfair cost advantage.

Their deals, unveiled hours apart, underscore the growing influence of Musk in business and politics.

Read Also: Starlink Faces Competition from SpaceSail, Kuiper

Broader Implications

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with Musk in Washington to discuss technology and innovation.

Musk’s clout under the Trump administration has further bolstered his ventures, as seen in the government’s support for administratively allocating airwaves for satellite services.

Jio’s agreement aligns with its commitment to expand affordable internet access across India.

Mathew Oommen, Reliance Jio’s Group CEO, highlighted the transformative impact of integrating Starlink into Jio’s ecosystem, enhancing broadband connectivity across even the most challenging locations.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell praised the collaboration, emphasising the importance of securing government authorisation to serve Indian customers and businesses with high-speed Starlink services.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its ambitions, Starlink remains invite-only in India, with operational challenges as Jio ramps up infrastructure and customer support.

Jio and SpaceX are also exploring additional collaborations to enrich India’s digital landscape.

Meanwhile, Mittal, chairing Bharti Enterprises, lauded the rising convergence of satellite and telecom technologies, envisioning seamless global connectivity for consumers.

As India embraces satellite-driven innovation alongside 5G and future 6G developments, a new era of digital transformation beckons.

 

 

 

 

The Pioneer