If you can’t beat them, join them!

Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Platforms are proving the adage by joining Elon Musk’s Space X to provide satellite broadband services in India.

The Indian CEOs had been at odds over how the country should grant them spectrum for months. In previous stand-offs with Starlink, they had urged an auction and a level playing field. The Indian government has decided on allocating the spectrum administratively, in line with global trends and with what Musk, pushed for too.

Starlink network
Starlink satellites operate in lower orbit than geostationary satellites, enabling quicker and more efficient internet connections. Depending on your satellite connectivity requirements, Starlink provides an installation/equipment kit that includes a Starlink antenna (a dish for installation), a router, a satellite link cable, and an AC cable.

Starlink needs a clear sky view to stay connected with satellites moving overhead. Objects obstructing the connection between Starlink and the satellite, such as a tree branch, pole, or roof, will cause service interruptions.

The service’s official launch in India hinges on obtaining approvals from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

The strategies of Airtel and Jio for deploying Starlink in India differ significantly in focus, execution, and integration.

Airtel plans to leverage its partnership with OneWeb alongside Starlink to offer a broader range of satellite-based services. It emphasizes rural connectivity and enterprise solutions, including connecting schools and healthcare facilities.

Airtel focuses on niche enterprise markets and rural initiatives, while Jio targets widespread adoption by integrating Starlink into its consumer-centric broadband ecosystem. These contrasting approaches reflect their broader business strategies in India’s telecom sector.

Airtel will likely aim to use Starlink to bridge India’s digital divide by enhancing broadband access in rural and underserved areas. The company plans to integrate Starlink with its existing school, healthcare centers, and remote communities network.

Airtel will sell Starlink hardware through its retail stores and offer services to business customers. This complements its partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, which already provides satellite internet services in India.

Jio aims to make Starlink solutions widely available through its retail network while supporting installation and activation. It positions Starlink as a complement to its existing broadband services like JioFiber and JioAirFiber.

Jio is leveraging its vast retail network to sell Starlink hardware and provide installation support. It aims to integrate Starlink into its broadband ecosystem, including JioFiber and JioAirFiber, to enhance service reliability and accessibility.

Jio’s approach is more commercial, focusing on expanding its dominance in the broadband market by making satellite internet widely available through retail channels.

Reliance is also evaluating other areas of cooperation to leverage their respective infrastructure.

The rivalry is expected to reshape India’s broadband landscape, particularly in underserved regions where satellite internet can provide a significant advantage. While these partnerships have the potential to transform rural internet access in India by providing reliable, high-speed connectivity and fostering socio-economic growth in underserved regions addressing affordability, accessibility, and digital literacy will be key to ensuring the success of these initiatives.

Market disruption
While these partnerships promise transformative benefits for connectivity and technological innovation, they pose challenges for existing players, particularly smaller operators and government-run entities.

As a result, the Indian telecom market is likely to experience heightened competition, technological integration, and regulatory evolution.

Starlink’s entry, facilitated by Airtel and Jio, introduces satellite internet as a new competitor to traditional fiber and wireless broadband services. This could disrupt the market dynamics, forcing existing players to innovate and improve service quality.

Satellite internet services may lead to competitive pricing strategies, especially in underserved areas where traditional telecom operators have struggled to provide affordable options.

Expansion of service areas
Starlink partnerships will help Airtel and Jio expand their reach into rural and remote areas, where traditional networks are limited. This could shift market share away from smaller regional players or government-run entities like BSNL.

Satellite internet services open up new revenue opportunities in sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture, particularly in regions lacking reliable connectivity.

Technological advancements
The partnerships align with India’s push for advanced technologies like 5G and 6G, enabling hybrid solutions that combine satellite and terrestrial networks for seamless connectivity.

Satellite internet could accelerate the adoption of IoT devices in rural areas, further driving demand for telecom services.

Impact on smaller players
Smaller telecom operators may struggle to compete with the technological edge and financial backing of Airtel, Jio, and Starlink. This could lead to further consolidation in the already concentrated telecom market.

BSNL may face challenges maintaining its foothold in rural areas as private players leverage satellite technology to penetrate these markets.

Regulatory implications
The partnerships will intensify debates around spectrum allocation policies, as satellite internet requires clear regulatory frameworks to operate alongside terrestrial networks.

Increased foreign investment through Starlink aligns with India’s liberalized FDI norms, potentially boosting the sector’s growth and raising concerns about monopolization.

It would be fair to say that, Sunil Mittal, Chairman and Founder, Bharti Enterprise, proposed this in his opening remark at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona.

Mittal had emphasized the importance of collaboration between telecom and satellite companies. He urged these industries to combine their strengths to achieve universal connectivity, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas, including oceans and skies.

Mittal highlighted that just as the telecom sector has adopted technologies like 4G, 5G, and the upcoming 6G, it should also embrace satellite technology, which he called “SAT-G.”

Mittal also drew parallels with his past appeals, such as his call at MWC 2017 to reduce international roaming charges, which led to significant reductions in roaming tariffs and increased international mobile usage. He expressed confidence that the industry would respond similarly to his current call for telecom and satellite providers’ collaboration.

Furthermore, Mittal emphasized the need for industry consolidation and cooperation to address rural connectivity challenges. He suggested that operators should focus on sharing resources and competing based on service quality instead of competing through infrastructure duplication. This approach would help bridge the digital divide and provide internet access to previously underserved areas.
BCS Bureau