Elon Musk’s Starlink has signed a deal with India’s No. 2 telecoms company Airtel to bring Starlink’s internet services to the world’s most populous country (India), intensifying rivalry with fellow billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s telecom firm Reliance Jio.

The pact will allow the US satellite internet giant to utilize Airtel’s retail store network to distribute its devices throughout India, and is conditional upon Starlink obtaining government approval to begin operations in the country, a Reuters report stated yesterday.

Airtel said on Tuesday the companies will look at using each other’s network infrastructure to enhance coverage, but didn’t provide details. Airtel will also explore offering Starlink services to its business and other customers.

The Starlink announcement comes weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Elon Musk in Washington where they discussed issues, including space, mobility, technology and innovation.

Starlink, which has long wanted to launch in India, has clashed recently with Ambani’s telecom firm Reliance Jio over how the country should grant spectrum for satellite services.

However, a Bharti Airtel statement yesterday, accessed by Indianbroadcastingworld.com, downplayed its parent Bharti Enterprises’ shareholding in a competing and similar broadband-via-satellite service. Bharti Enterprises holds about 21 percent equity stake in Starlink competitor Eutelsat OneWeb that also manages a constellation of over 600 LEO satellites.

“Airtel remains committed to delivering comprehensive and reliable connectivity and digital solutions leveraging advanced technology with a focus on customer-centric services. By adding Starlink (in addition to its existing alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb) to its offerings, Airtel will further its ability to offer nationwide connectivity and connect previously underserved areas, particularly those with limited to no coverage today,” the India telco said in the statement.

With the Starlink enterprise suite, Airtel will be able to offer enterprises, businesses and communities comprehensive and seamless connectivity packages, it added without providing any financial or other details.

“Working with SpaceX to offer Starlink to Airtel customers in India is a significant milestone and further demonstrates our commitment to next-generation satellite connectivity,” said Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel Ltd.

He added: “This collaboration enhances our ability to bring world-class high-speed broadband to even the most remote parts of India, ensuring that every individual, business, and community has reliable internet. Starlink will complement and enhance Airtel’s suite of products to ensure reliable and affordable broadband for our Indian customers – wherever they live and work.”

According to Vittal, as technology is “always evolving”, they were committed to staying at the “forefront of innovation” so that the company could continue to bring the best connectivity experience for customers, which includes “collaborating with global leaders like SpaceX to extend our reach and add new coverage to customers throughout all of India.”

Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, the parent of Starlink, exulted by saying, “We are excited to work with Airtel and unlock the transformative impact Starlink can bring to the people of India. We are constantly amazed by the incredible and inspiring things that people, businesses and organizations do when they are connected via Starlink. “The team at Airtel has played a pivotal role in India’s telecom story, so working with them to complement our direct offering makes great sense for our business.”

Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world. As the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low earth orbit, Starlink delivers broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.