Mukesh Ambani inks big deal with Elon Musk, Jio joins hands Starlink to provide…., plans dedicated…

In a major development that could reshape India’s internet landscape, Reliance Jio is preparing to offer SpaceX’s Starlink hardware across its extensive retail network. This collaboration is part of a broader partnership between the Mukesh Ambani-led company and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, aimed at bringing satellite-powered broadband services to Indian users. The announcement came during Jio Platforms’ latest quarterly earnings update, where the company confirmed it will roll out Starlink equipment in its stores once SpaceX receives the required regulatory clearances to operate in India. Beyond sales, Jio is also setting up a dedicated support system to assist customers with Starlink installations and activations.

Interestingly, Jio is not the only telecom major aligning with Starlink. Rival Bharti Airtel has also entered into a similar agreement with the satellite internet provider. However, with Jio’s unmatched retail footprint and aggressive market approach, analysts believe it may have the upper hand in scaling Starlink access to deeper corners of the country.

The partnership is expected to be particularly transformative for rural and remote regions, where traditional internet infrastructure often falls short. By combining Jio’s last-mile connectivity with Starlink’s low-earth-orbit satellite technology, the companies aim to bridge the digital divide in underserved areas.

The potential for growth is immense. According to industry experts, integrating Starlink into Jio’s current product suite—rather than offering it as a standalone premium service—could drastically bring down its cost and boost adoption. With flexible payment options and local installation support, satellite internet might become a practical reality for millions.

Meanwhile, Jio’s financial performance for the March quarter remained robust. The company reported a 17.8 per cent year-on-year rise in revenue to Rs. 39,853 crore and an EBITDA of Rs. 17,016 crore—up 18.5 per cent over the same period last year.

Jio’s subscriber base swelled to over 488 million by March 2025, including 191 million users on its True 5G network. The growing popularity of 5G and home broadband solutions fueled a 24 per cent rise in annual data traffic, which reached approximately 185 exabytes. Average revenue per user (ARPU) also ticked up to Rs. 206.2, reflecting the positive impact of recent tariff hikes.

While the Jio-Starlink alliance is still awaiting regulatory green lights, the groundwork laid by both companies signals a bold step forward in democratizing high-speed internet across India.

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