Mukesh Ambani Partners with Elon Musk’s Starlink to Boost Internet Connectivity in India
NEW DELHI — Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio joined hands with Elon Musk’s SpaceX on March 11, 2025, to bring Starlink satellite internet to India. This deal, signed in New Delhi, aims to improve internet access across the country. It ends months of rivalry and promises high-speed connectivity, especially in rural areas.
A Surprising Partnership Forms
For years, Ambani and Musk clashed over how India should give out satellite spectrum. Ambani wanted auctions to keep things fair. Musk pushed for direct allocation, saying it’s faster and fits global rules. India’s government picked Musk’s way in October 2024, upsetting Reliance Jio. Now, the two billionaires have flipped the script. Jio will sell Starlink gear in its stores, reaching millions of customers fast.
This deal shocked many. Jio, India’s top telecom with 51% of the broadband market, spent $19 billion on airwave auctions. It feared losing customers to Starlink’s satellite tech. Instead, Ambani turned a threat into a chance. Jio Platforms said in a statement, “We’ll use our stores and Starlink’s satellites to connect every corner of India.”
Why This Matters for India
India has over 500 million people offline, mostly in rural spots. Jio’s 5G network covers 90% of the population, but remote areas lag. Starlink’s 6,400 low-orbit satellites can fix that. They beam internet anywhere, no towers needed. Speeds hit 50-150 Mbps, with premium plans up to 220 Mbps. That’s slower than Jio’s 300-400 Mbps 5G, but it works where Jio can’t reach.
The timing fits India’s goals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants a digital push. His talks with Musk in Washington last month hinted at this shift. India’s satellite internet market could hit $1.9 billion by 2030, says Deloitte. Jio and Starlink together could lead that growth. Airtel, India’s No. 2 telecom, signed a similar Starlink deal on March 10, heating up the race.
Challenges and Competition
Not everyone’s happy. Jio and Airtel once fought Musk, worried he’d take their customers. Now, they’re partners but still rivals. Jio’s selling Starlink kits while building its own satellite service with SES Astra. Airtel’s got OneWeb, a UK satellite firm, in its corner. Both want to rule India’s skies.
Starlink’s launch isn’t set yet. It needs government approval, stalled since 2022 over security rules. Musk’s team says it’s ready to meet India’s terms. “We’ll do our best to serve India,” Musk posted on X after the spectrum win. But pricing’s a hurdle. Starlink costs $120 a month in the U.S. In Kenya, it’s $10. India’s cheap data—Jio’s broadband starts at $10—means Musk might cut prices to compete.
Voices From the Deal
Reliance Jio’s statement added, “This partnership lets us use Starlink’s tech and our network to reach rural India fast.” Experts see big potential. Telecom analyst Gareth Owen told Reuters, “This could change how India connects. Satellites beat towers for remote areas.” Still, some worry about costs. Starlink’s kits are $599 in Africa, far more than Jio’s free 5G setup.
Airtel’s Gopal Vittal spoke up too. “Working with SpaceX is a big step for us,” he said in a statement. The deals show Musk’s growing pull. Posts on X suggest his role in Trump’s U.S. administration helped sway India. Ambani, a guest at Trump’s inauguration, may have seen the writing on the wall.
What’s Next for Connectivity?
This partnership could spark a boom. If Starlink launches by mid-2025, rural India gets a lifeline. Schools, farms, and homes could go online. But it’s not a done deal. Approval delays could drag on. Pricing fights might slow things too. Will Musk match Jio’s low rates? Can Jio balance selling Starlink while pushing its own satellites?
Consumers win either way. More players mean better service and maybe lower prices. Investors liked the news—Reliance stock rose 1% on March 12, a 50-point bump. Airtel dipped 1%, losing 20 points, as Jio’s deal stole the spotlight. India’s digital gap could shrink, but only if Musk and Ambani deliver.