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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 announced that it will bring Elon Musk’s Starlink internet services to India. This partnership aims to bridge the digital divide in remote areas of the country, providing reliable and affordable broadband connectivity.
As per the agreement, Airtel plans to offer Starlink equipment through its retail stores, complementing its existing suite of products and partnerships, including Eutelsat OneWeb. The collaboration will enable Airtel to cater to underserved regions with little or no internet coverage, while providing innovative solutions for businesses, schools, communities, and healthcare centers.
Airtel, serving over 550 million customers across South Asia and Africa, is set to compete with Reliance Jio Infocomm, backed by India’s richest person Mukesh Ambani, and Vodafone Idea, led by billionaire Kumar Birla. This development marks a significant shift in the Indian telecom market, as Mittal explores opportunities beyond his native country.
As one of Asia’s richest 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. In addition to Airtel, he also owns Airtel Payments Bank, a joint venture with Kotak Mahindra Bank, led by fellow billionaire Uday Kotak.
The partnership is subject to SpaceX receiving necessary permits to sell Starlink services in the country. Once approved, this collaboration will be a game-changer for India’s digital landscape, enabling access to high-speed broadband and promoting economic growth and development.
