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Indian Billionaire’s Airtel To Bring Elon Musk’s Starlink To India
In a groundbreaking move, Bharti Airtel, controlled by Indian billionaire Sunil Mittal, has agreed to bring Elon Musk’s Starlink internet services to India. This partnership aims to connect the most remote areas of the world’s second-most populous country with high-speed broadband.
The deal, which is subject to SpaceX receiving permission to sell Starlink services in the country, will see Airtel offer Starlink equipment in its retail stores and provide Starlink services alongside its existing partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb. This collaboration aims to ensure reliable and affordable internet for businesses, schools, communities, and health centers in areas with little or no coverage.
As one of India’s largest telecom companies, serving over 550 million customers across South Asia and Africa, Airtel will complement its suite of products by integrating Starlink services. This move is seen as a strategic one to expand the company’s reach and improve connectivity in under-served regions.
Airtel’s decision to collaborate with SpaceX comes as no surprise, given Mittal’s ambition to explore opportunities beyond India. In February, a Mittal-linked company sold Airtel shares worth 84.9 billion rupees ($976 million), demonstrating his willingness to diversify and expand the reach of his business empire.
As one of Asia’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $30.7 billion, Mittal holds the 7th spot on Forbes Asia’s list of India’s 100 Richest published last October. His company’s partnership with SpaceX reinforces its commitment to innovation and expansion in the global market.
Airtel’s strategic collaboration with Starlink will likely be met with excitement by entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders across the country. The deal has significant implications for the Indian telecommunications industry, which is already witnessing intense competition among players like Reliance Jio Infocomm, backed by India’s richest person Mukesh Ambani, and Vodafone Idea, led by billionaire Kumar Birla.
In conclusion, Airtel’s decision to bring Starlink services to India underscores its commitment to bridging the digital divide and expanding its reach in the global market. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how this partnership unfolds and shapes the future of Indian telecommunications.
