RailTel in Talks with Elon Musk's Starlink for India

RailTel Corporation of India is reportedly in advanced discussions with Elon Musk's Starlink regarding a potential collaboration for the Indian market. This partnership is expected to focus on utilizing Starlink's satellite internet capabilities to offer retail broadband services, particularly targeting last-mile and rural connectivity challenges across India. RailTel's extensive existing fiber network and operational expertise could provide crucial back-end support for Starlink's planned India launch.

These discussions come as Starlink prepares for its commercial rollout in India, emphasizing its commitment to bridging the digital divide in underserved regions. RailTel's strong presence in rural areas, where nearly 58% of its user base resides, aligns perfectly with Starlink's strategic goals. The collaboration could enable expanded connectivity beyond traditional infrastructure, reaching remote villages and border areas.

In parallel, RailTel has recently announced the successful acquisition of two significant work orders. One order, valued at Rs 148.39 crore, is for comprehensive AMC services for servers, storage, and network devices. The other, worth Rs 26.88 crore, involves the implementation of advanced IT infrastructure at V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority. These wins underscore RailTel's robust capabilities and market position.