Elon Musk’s Starlink Expanding to India: Partnership with Jio and Airtel Underway

New Delhi, March 12, 2025 – Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX, is making significant moves to enter the Indian market. According to recent reports, Starlink is in advanced talks with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to establish partnerships, aiming to provide high-speed satellite-based internet across rural and remote areas of India.

Why Starlink Wants to Enter India?

India is the world’s second-largest internet market, with over 850 million internet users. However, a significant portion of the population in rural and hilly areas still struggles with poor broadband connectivity. Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology promises to offer seamless high-speed internet access even in areas where traditional fiber or mobile networks are unreliable.

Challenges for Starlink in India

Despite its ambitious plans, Starlink faces major challenges in the Indian market:

• Regulatory Approvals – The Indian government has stringent telecom regulations that satellite-based services must comply with before commercial rollout.
• Competition with 5G – Companies like Reliance Jio and Airtel are rapidly expanding 5G networks across India, making it tougher for Starlink to justify its premium pricing.
• High Pricing for Users – Starlink’s services currently cost around $100 per month globally. In contrast, Indian broadband and mobile data services are among the cheapest in the world, with Jio offering unlimited 5G data at just $3 per month.

Potential Impact on Indian Telecom Industry

If Starlink successfully enters the Indian market, it could revolutionize connectivity in rural India, benefiting industries like education, healthcare, and e-commerce. However, experts believe that the service might cater to a niche premium audience rather than becoming a mainstream internet provider.

Elon Musk has not officially confirmed the timeline for Starlink’s commercial launch in India, but sources suggest it could roll out by early 2026, depending on regulatory approvals.

📌 Stay tuned for more updates on DeshVidesh.news!