Daybreak Starlink’s deal with Jio-Airtel is more optics than real partnership
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Jun 9, 2025 Elon Musk's Starlink is on the verge of launching in India, adding a competitive edge to satellite communications. In an unexpected twist, Jio and Airtel have partnered with Starlink, but their enthusiasm for selling terminals is questionable. The podcast dives into the intricate dance between telecom giants and satellite providers, examining regulatory changes and the motives behind these surprising alliances. Discover how these moves could impact India's broadband future and what they mean for the market landscape.
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Starlink-Telcos Partnership Is Primarily Optics
- Starlink's partnerships with Indian telcos are more about optics and control than deep integration.
- The deals serve political and strategic positioning rather than immediate market disruption.
Political Push Changed Satcom Policy
- The Prime Minister's office nudged regulators to clear satellite communication policies.
- This political push ended years of telco resistance to satellite internet in India.
Satellite Internet Faces Economic Barriers
- Satellite internet cannot economically compete with Indian telcos on price.
- Satellite backhaul costs far exceed current telco data prices, making replacement unfeasible.