Jio Platforms Limited has partnered with SpaceX to bring Starlink broadband services to India, utilizing low-Earth orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet in remote areas. Starlink equipment will be available for purchase in Reliance Jio stores, with installation and customer support services offered by Jio, pending regulatory approvals. This partnership aims to enhance internet accessibility for businesses and communities, complementing existing Jio offerings like JioAirFiber and JioFiber. SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration while both companies will explore additional cooperative ventures to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure, following a similar agreement with Bharti Airtel.
On Wednesday, Jio Platforms Limited unveiled a strategic collaboration with SpaceX, aiming to bring Starlink broadband services to India. The Reliance Industries subsidiary plans to utilize the constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites owned by Elon Musk’s company to deliver high-speed broadband to customers, even in the most remote and rural parts of the country. Starlink equipment will be available for purchase at Reliance Jio stores, with installation and activation services provided by customer service, pending regulatory approvals for SpaceX to operate in India.
Reliance Jio-Starlink Partnership
As stated in a press release from Jio Platforms Limited, Starlink complements its current high-speed broadband offerings, including JioAirFiber and JioFiber. It is expected to enhance internet accessibility in challenging areas rapidly and affordably. This initiative aligns with the telecom provider’s goal of making high-speed internet available not just to enterprises but also to small and medium businesses and communities across India.
Once the necessary approvals are received from regulatory authorities, customers will be able to purchase Starlink equipment from Reliance Jio stores. Additionally, the telecom provider will handle customer service installation and activation on behalf of the Elon Musk-owned company.
Following the announcement, Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, remarked, “We are eager to collaborate with Jio and secure authorization from the Government of India to provide access to Starlink’s high-speed internet services for more individuals, organizations, and businesses.”
To further build India’s digital ecosystem, both companies will seek additional areas of cooperation, leveraging their respective infrastructures, including Starlink’s extensive low-Earth orbit satellite constellation. This network is estimated to consist of nearly 7,000 active satellites delivering low-latency broadband to some of the most isolated regions worldwide.
This marks the second agreement established by the Elon Musk-owned company, following a similar partnership with Bharti Airtel, which will also retail Starlink equipment in its Indian stores. Airtel plans to extend Starlink services to a variety of users, including businesses, communities, schools, and healthcare facilities, among others.