Airtel Poised to Lead in Satellite Connectivity, Says Sunil Bharti Mittal: Report

Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, speaking on the sidelines of the SOUL Leadership Conclave 2025 on Friday, said that his company is well-equipped to lead satellite connectivity in the country and is ready to launch operations as soon as it receives the necessary pending government approvals. Mittal’s comments come against the backdrop of Elon Musk’s Starlink seeking entry into the Indian market, according to a PTI report.

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Also Read: Starlink Nears Regulatory Approval in India, Awaits Final Clearance: Report

Need for Satellite Services in Remote Areas

Mittal emphasised the need for satellites to serve remote and underserved regions, stating, “Satellite connectivity is indeed required to serve dark, underserved areas. We fully welcome that.” He also pointed out that numerous parts of the world, including India, still lack sufficient digital access, which satellite technology could help illuminate.

Also Read: Airtel Satellite Telecom Services Ready for Rollout in India: Report

“There are lots of parts of the world and lots of people still living in dark areas which need to be lit up. The only way it can be done is through satellite broadband connectivity,” he reportedly said.

Waiting for Government Approvals

“We are one of the leading players and waiting for our permissions, and we are providing the services in many parts of the world already. So I think it’s a great initiative, and we have already sought our permissions to launch…as soon as we are given a green light, we will launch our services,” he reportedly added.