Athira Sethu
Kochi, 12 March 2025
Reliance Jio has collaborated with Elon Musk’s SpaceX for offering Starlink satellite internet services in India. But the agreement is subject to approval from the government for SpaceX to begin its operations in India. According to the agreement, Jio will retail Starlink hardware at stores and online, and offer installation assistance.
This alliance follows a recent dispute between Jio and SpaceX regarding the allocation of satellite spectrum. Jio had preferred an auction, but the Indian government favored Musk’s choice of administrative allocation, which is standard across the world.
Jio’s move comes after a similar arrangement Bharti Airtel had with SpaceX the previous day. Airtel, with its robust satellite communication presence via its OneWeb initiative, also wants to gain from Starlink’s technology. Both operators are now competing in normal broadband services as well as satellite internet. Both arrangements, however, await government clearance for Starlink to launch in India.
SpaceX’s satellite technology has the potential to revolutionize internet access in India. While large cities enjoy fast broadband, rural and far-off places are yet to experience decent or no internet. With nearly half of India’s population without access to reliable internet, Starlink’s capability to deliver broadband directly from space can potentially benefit residents in remote areas such as the Himalayas and remote islands.
Still, Starlink struggles in India. Starlink’s equipment is now priced between Rs 25,000-Rs 35,000, while the monthly subscription charges are between Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000. That’s significantly higher than India’s average broadband price, which stands at Rs 700-Rs 1,500 a month. For success, Starlink would either have to bring down prices or collaborate with government initiatives for digital inclusion.
There are also regulatory issues. SpaceX will have to deal with matters such as spectrum allocation, data storage regulations, and security clearances. The firm encountered a hitch in India when it accepted pre-orders without proper licenses, prompting the temporary halt of its operations.
Despite the hurdles, competition from Jio and Airtel for satellite internet may provide improved connectivity to tens of millions of Indians. Starlink’s future in India hinges on how it approaches pricing and regulatory clearance, potentially altering the digital landscape of the country.
