Bharti Airtel’s share price saw a 2% bump on March 12, 2025, after the telecom giant announced a strategic partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink’s satellite internet services to India.
At first glance, it seems like a regular stock market update. But this news carries deeper implications—not just for Bharti Airtel share price, but for India’s digital future.
Let’s unpack the deal!
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Why is the SpaceX deal a big deal?
The partnership between Bharti Airtel and SpaceX aims to integrate Starlink’s satellite broadband services into Airtel’s offerings in India. The goal is to:
- Make Starlink equipment available at Airtel’s retail outlets
- Offer Starlink services to business customers via Airtel
- Improve rural connectivity by using satellite-based networks
This means Airtel is not just looking to boost coverage but also to strengthen its rural footprint—a segment often underserved by traditional broadband infrastructure.
According to Airtel’s Managing Director and Vice Chairman Gopal Vittal, this collaboration is a major milestone that could transform satellite connectivity in India.
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But wait, Jio is also in the picture
A twist followed soon after the Airtel announcement: reports surfaced that Reliance Jio had also signed a partnership with SpaceX for high-speed satellite internet.
This created a competitive angle and led to some pullback in the Airtel stock during intra-day trading.
Still, the fact remains—Airtel was quick to act, and the collaboration creates a solid growth opportunity, especially in areas where traditional fibre or mobile broadband falls short.
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Isn’t Airtel already in the satellite space?
Yes, and here’s where it gets more interesting. Bharti Airtel already holds a 21.2% stake in Eutelsat OneWeb—a direct competitor of Starlink.
OneWeb has regulatory clearance to operate in India but is still awaiting spectrum allocation. So, while Airtel has its own satellite play, this new tie-up with Starlink might just be a smart way to hedge its bets.
Whether the partnership is exclusive or not remains unclear. But it certainly indicates Airtel’s intent to stay ahead in the satellite race.
Key metrics and developments in a snapshot:
| Particulars | Details |
| Airtel Share Price (March 12, 9:20 AM) | ₹1,689.95 |
| Intraday High | ₹1,717.25 |
| Recent Rally | 5%+ on NSE |
| Stake in OneWeb | 21.2% |
| Starlink Hardware Cost (Expected) | ₹25,000–₹35,000 |
| Monthly Subscription (Expected) | ₹3,500–₹5,000 |
| Broadband ARPU in India | ₹400–₹600 |
| Past 1-Year Share Return | 38.97% |
| Past 3-Year Share Return | 139.33% |
Airtel’s internal shake-up: payments bank transfer
In another update, Airtel has transferred its 69.94% stake in Airtel Payments Bank to its wholly owned subsidiary, Airtel Limited. The company clarified that this is a shareholding reorganisation and doesn’t affect overall ownership or control.
The share transfer was approved on March 11, 2025, and is being handled as a related-party transaction under regulatory compliance.
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What does all this mean for investors?
From a Bharti Airtel standpoint, this Starlink deal adds a layer of future potential. While immediate revenue gains may be limited—especially since Starlink hasn’t yet received a licence to operate in India—the long-term impact could be significant.
In a country where over 700 million people still lack reliable internet access, satellite broadband could be a game-changer. Airtel’s vast retail network gives it a head start in distributing and integrating Starlink’s offerings.
Yes, competition from Jio is real. But for now, Airtel seems to have made a strategic move to ride the satellite wave early.
India’s average broadband costs are still much lower than what Starlink might charge. So, mass adoption could take time. But if Airtel manages to bundle satellite services for premium business clients, schools, and rural health centres—it could open up a new revenue stream.
And for Airtel investors, that’s an important growth signal.
Final thoughts:
The Bharti airtel share price may have risen just 2% for now, but the partnership with SpaceX has planted seeds for long-term digital growth.
As India’s digital infrastructure expands beyond fibre cables and cellular towers, satellite internet could become a critical piece of the puzzle.
So, whether you’re an investor or just watching from the sidelines, keep an eye on how this partnership unfolds. Because the next leg of growth may just come from the skies.
