A SpaceX Starlink user terminal. Photo: SpaceX

Bharti Airtel agreed to bring SpaceX’s Starlink internet services to customers in India, Airtel announced on March 11. 

Airtel said this is the first agreement SpaceX has signed to receive its authorization to sell Starlink in India. The partnership aims to show how Starlink can expand Airtel’s offerings and how Airtel’s knowledge of the Indian market can work with SpaceX’s services. 

Airtel is one of India’s largest mobile network operators and the company has more than 50 million customers in 15 countries across India and Africa.

Starlink does not yet have market access to operate services in India, but Starlink’s coverage map says India is “pending market approval.”  

Airtel plans to offer Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores and will provide Starlink services to customers. The agreement plans to connect communities, schools, and health centers in rural parts of India. By adding Starlink to its portfolio, Airtel aims to expand its connectivity and reach underserved areas with limited or no coverage.

Gopal Vittal, managing director and vice chairman at Airtel, said: “Starlink will complement and enhance Airtel’s suite of products to ensure reliable and affordable broadband for our Indian customers – wherever they live and work. Technology is always evolving and we’re committed to staying at the forefront of innovation so that we can continue to bring the best connectivity experience for our customers.”

“We are constantly amazed by the incredible and inspiring things that people, businesses and organizations do when they are connected via Starlink,” said Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of SpaceX. “The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in India’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering makes great sense for our business.”

Bharti Airtel is also a backer of OneWeb and was one of the financiers to rescue the constellation from bankruptcy. Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, is the co-chair of the board of directors of Eutelsat, which owns OneWeb. 

OneWeb notably has market access in India but it is not a direct-to-consumer offering. Airtel and Hughes Network Systems have a joint venture HCIPL to distribute OneWeb services in India.