Stars Align: Reliance Jio Partners with SpaceX for India's Satellite Internet

Reliance Jio has struck a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink services to India, after months of disagreement over spectrum allocation. The partnership follows a similar agreement between Starlink and Bharti Airtel. Both deals hinge on government approval amidst competitive tensions in the satellite internet space.

In a surprising turn, Reliance Jio has joined forces with SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet to India, marking a significant development in the ongoing spectrum allocation debate. This new alliance follows a similar agreement between SpaceX and Bharti Airtel.

The partnerships are awaiting government approval, a critical step for operational commencement in India. Notably, this announcement comes shortly after a key meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Elon Musk, where discussions touched on technological innovation and space exploration.

Jio Platforms will facilitate Starlink's retail and online distribution, while also exploring additional cooperative ventures. However, Spectrum allocation remains a contentious issue, with Mukesh Ambani previously advocating for auctions, opposing Musk's preference for administrative allocation.

(With inputs from agencies.)