Faith Nyasuguta
India’s wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, is partnering with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s satellite internet services to the subcontinent, potentially transforming internet access across the country, even in its most remote corners.
Ambani’s Reliance Industries, through its technology arm Jio Platforms, announced the partnership on Wednesday, signaling a major step toward enhancing India’s digital connectivity. According to the press release, Jio Platforms will offer Starlink’s services through its retail and online stores once SpaceX secures the necessary approvals.
Mathew Oommen, CEO of Reliance Jio, described the collaboration as a “transformative step” in bridging the digital divide. “Our collaboration with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India strengthens our commitment and marks a transformative step toward seamless broadband connectivity for all,” Oommen stated.
If approved, the deal could grant Starlink access to India’s massive market of over 1.4 billion people, making it the world’s largest consumer base for the satellite internet provider. Reliance Jio already serves an impressive 481.8 million subscribers in India as of 2024, according to Reliance’s latest annual report.
While Jio Platforms didn’t reveal a timeline for the partnership rollout, the move could be a game changer for India’s rural and underserved areas, where traditional infrastructure struggles to deliver reliable internet. Starlink’s satellite-based technology promises to overcome these geographical barriers, offering high-speed connectivity to regions that need it most.
For Musk, the partnership comes at a crucial time. The billionaire entrepreneur has been facing mounting challenges across his ventures. In a recent interview with Fox Business, Musk admitted that juggling his responsibilities, including running Tesla and SpaceX, has been far from easy. “With great difficulty,” Musk said when asked how he manages it all.
Tesla, once a darling of the stock market, has seen its value tumble by more than 50% from recent highs. The electric vehicle giant has struggled with declining sales in Europe and China, and its latest delivery numbers reflected the pressure. In 2024, Tesla delivered 1.79 million vehicles , a slight drop from the previous year’s 1.81 million, marking the first annual sales decline in over a decade.
Meanwhile, Musk’s handling of Starlink’s involvement in the Ukraine war has sparked controversy. Initially a strong supporter of Ukraine, Musk later called for the U.S. to stop sending military aid, a move that drew criticism from European leaders. Poland’s foreign minister, RadosÅ‚aw Sikorski, recently hinted that the country might seek alternative satellite providers if SpaceX proves unreliable.
Musk, however, pushed back against concerns that Starlink could be used as a bargaining tool in geopolitical conflicts. “To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals,” Musk wrote on X. “We would never do such a thing or use it as a bargaining chip.”
As Musk navigates these challenges, the partnership with Ambani offers a much-needed win. Ambani, with a net worth of $87.5 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, commands enormous influence in India’s business landscape. His backing could help Starlink secure the regulatory approvals it needs to operate in India, and give Musk a foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
While representatives from both SpaceX and Reliance Industries have yet to comment further on the agreement, the partnership promises to reshape India’s internet landscape. If all goes according to plan, Starlink could soon be beaming internet from the stars to millions across India , unlocking new opportunities for education, business, and connectivity.
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