Tue Mar 11 12:18:28 UTC 2025: **Airtel to Distribute SpaceX’s Starlink Internet in India**

**New Delhi, March 11, 2025** – Bharti Airtel has announced a distribution agreement with SpaceX to sell Starlink satellite internet services in India. While this marks a significant step for Starlink’s entry into the Indian market, the service is not yet operational. Starlink still requires crucial authorizations from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs before launching.

The agreement will see Airtel selling Starlink equipment in its retail stores and offering Starlink services to business customers. Airtel also plans to leverage the service to connect remote communities, schools, and health centers. This is not an exclusive deal, with Airtel hinting at future partnerships with other satellite internet providers.

The announcement comes amidst ongoing debate within the Indian telecommunications sector. Reliance Jio Infocomm has voiced opposition to the rapid introduction of satellite internet services, advocating for spectrum auctions similar to terrestrial operators. Airtel, however, has previously supported Starlink’s position, arguing for administrative allocation of shared spectrum resources. This difference of opinion recently led to a public clash between representatives of both companies at a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India open house.

Starlink already has ground infrastructure in India for routing traffic, but it lacks both spectrum allocation and the necessary Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite authorization from the DoT to begin operations. The company has recently launched its service in Bhutan, but has faced challenges in India, including seizures of illegal Starlink terminals. While the company claims these terminals are non-functional within India, the government has not publicly commented. A recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Elon Musk in Washington, DC, has raised speculation about potential expedited approvals, though details remain undisclosed.

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