Musk’s Starlink could help remote parts of India get online under deals with telecoms players

NEW DELHI (AP) — Elon Musk’s Starlink signed an agreement with India’s top telecom operator on Wednesday to bring the U.S. satellite internet giant’s services to the world’s most populous country, a day after announcing a similar agreement with the country’s second-largest provider.

The deals with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, which together control more than 70% of India’s telecom market, could help bring internet connections to millions of people who live in remote areas.

But they depend on Starlink obtaining government approval to enter India. The partnership announcements come weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Musk in Washington.

Deals will put Starlink devices in stores across India

Wednesday’s deal will allow Starlink to stock and sell its equipment in Jio’s thousands of retail outlets, giving the company direct distribution across India. Starlink will also use its partners’ network infrastructure to enhance satellite coverage across India, where a vast population still lacks internet access.

A statement from Jio said Starlink will compliment the Indian telecom giant’s broadband services “by extending high-speed internet to the most challenging of locations in a quick and affordable manner.”

Jio will also provide installation and activation support for the Starlink devices, the statement said.

India has long been out of reach for Musk’s companies

Jio has long been at odds with Starlink over methods for awarding satellite service spectrum in India.

Jio had urged Indian government to grant spectrum for satellite services through auctions to ensure fair competition, while Musk wanted spectrum to be allocated administratively, in line with global trends. Indian government eventually decided to assign