Jio inks deal with Musk's SpaceX for Starlink internet services in India

Reliance Jio on Wendesday (March 12) announced that it has signed a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink’s internet services to India.

Jio Platforms, which will offer Starlink equipment in its retail outlets and online stores, will also provide installation support for the devices.

“Through this agreement, the parties will leverage Jio’s position as the world’s largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic and Starlink’s position as the world’s leading low Earth orbit satellite constellation operator to deliver reliable broadband services across the country, including the most rural and remote regions of India,” the company said.

SpaceX-operated Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit (LEO). The company claims that it delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users in countries all across the world.

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The development comes a day after the company’s rival, Bharti Airtel, announced that it had inked a similar pact.

Government approval still pending

Both deals are conditional upon Starlink obtaining government approval to begin operations in the country.

Regulatory approvals have proven to be a big hurdle for Starlink’s India ambitions. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, are still to give SpaceX their authorisation to begin Starlink’s operations here.

The Elon Musk-led satellite companyn has already agreed to meet the Indian government’s data localisation and security requirements. Previously, this was a key point of contention and had proven to be a roadblock in negotiations.

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Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, said the company is looking forward to “receiving authorisation from the Government of India to provide more people, organisations and businesses with access to Starlink’s highspeed internet services.”

Disclosure: Firstpost is a part of the Network18 Group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.