RailTel, Starlink in talks for pact

RailTel Corp., a state-owned telecom infrastructure and connectivity provider, is in talks with Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer retail broadband services to its users in remote areas using satellite internet, according to two officials aware of the matter.

- Jatin Grover

"The discussions have picked up pace with Starlink, but commercials are yet to be finalized. Starlink’s team has also met RailTel’s officials in New Delhi," the first of the two government officials said, requesting anonymity as talks are private. The company will also explore similar arrangements with other satellite internet providers such as One Web, Jio Satellite, and Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), the official said.

Among various models, RailTel is exploring the use of Starlink’s satellite internet services as backhaul to provide broadband access in remote areas through RailWire. Backhaul here refersto usinga satellite to send internet or network data from a faraway location to the main network when fibre or other ground links are not available or not commercially viable.