Following news of SpaceX’s plans to partner with Indian manufacturers ahead of the launch of Starlink internet in India, the company has doubled down on those claims with a report from its new Country Director.
Head of SpaceX’s Starlink in India Sanjay Bhargava told reporters that Musk says broadband and satellite operators in the country “must collaborate and not compete with one another” to ensure 100 percent broadband coverage, according to ET Satcom.
Specifically, Bhargava explained, Musk referred to the need for broadband and mobile network companies to work together, though he also hopes to benefit a number of the country’s companies and organizations with Starlink’s rollout.
SpaceX Confirms Starlink Internet to Exit Beta Next Month https://t.co/WvSPbdqSgU
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) September 17, 2021
In the report, Bhargava said, “[Elon]’s very clear in his vision that broadband service providers of all shades, be it via satellites or mobile networks, have to collaborate with one another, and not compete, to take high-speed broadband to the under-served, and transform peoples’ lives in India and around the world…more so, since the two technologies are totally different.”
The news came during Bhargava’s first exclusive appearance to the media, in which he stated that Musk’s first mandate for Starlink in India was to reach out to CEOs of the country’s top academic institutions, banks, hospitals, telecommunication and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) about improving broadband internet connectivity in remote and rural locations.
Bhargava started his job with SpaceX in India at the beginning of October, and previously worked with Musk at PayPal.
