What are the details of Starlink and Indian telecom operators Airtel and Jio Platforms’ partnership agreement? In a surprise move by Elon Musk’s Starlink, partnerships were recently announced with Airtel and Jio Platforms to provide satellite broadband services in India. This agreement, subject to SpaceX being approved to sell Starlink in India, allows both telecom giants and SpaceX to explore how best to exploit each other’s strengths.

Jio and Airtel will offer Starlink solutions through their retail outlets and online storefronts.

Furthermore, they are currently exploring other areas of collaboration to bolster India’s digital ecosystem using each company’s infrastructures. What’s surprising here?Indian telecom operators had long opposed Starlink’s market entry without paying for spectrum rights. Both parties have frequently come into conflict over this matter, with Jio and Airtel favoring spectrum auctions while Starlink supports administrative allocation. Partnerships were announced before policymakers could come together and find a resolution, however this doesn’t signal an end of competition between Indian telcos and Starlink.

While this partnership strengthens Indian telcos’ positions that satellite services should be provided via their networks, Starlink can still offer satellite communication directly to consumers – as has already begun pilots in the US for providing broadband services directly on smartphones. Although Starlink may benefit from their partnership with Jio, there remain regulatory frameworks and spectrum allocation issues which have yet to be resolved. What part does the deal play in India-US negotiations given Musk’s links with President Donald Trump? Unfortunately there is no clarity. Musk is well-known to have attempted to enter India’s communications and electric vehicle markets. However, regulatory obstacles, including high import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) and spectrum costs have proven contentious issues. What does this mean for Indian Internet users? Starlink plans to provide high-speed, low-latency internet via satellite. Starlink can leverage Airtel and Jio’s infrastructure to reach underserved areas of India where traditional broadband networks are difficult or costly to deploy, helping close India’s digital divide. This partnership could serve as an avenue towards closing it. Airtel founder Sunil Mittal has coined this service, Sat-G, although its affordability remains uncertain when compared with mobile broadband. How does Sat-G compare with traditional mobile services?Traditionally, satellite communications have been deployed mainly as fixed broadband access points and backhaul infrastructure for telecom operators’s network services.

Technological advances now enable satellite providers to offer seamless broadband connectivity directly to users’ smartphones without the need for traditional cell towers. As it remains too soon to tell whether satellite communications tariffs will match terrestrial prices on a per-MB basis, this depends on various variables like spectrum costs. How Does Starlink Differ From Existing Satellite Broadband Services?

Currently in the US, Starlink charges between to 0 per month for speeds ranging between 20-250Mbps while traditional services such as T-Mobile Home Internet charge for speeds between 72-245Mbps.How Can Starlink’s Satcom Differ From Existing Services?India has historically used Geostationary Earth Orbit satellites primarily for imagery and direct-to-home broadcasting. Although these systems provide two-way communications capabilities, their limited use in two directions due to being located 36,000 km from Earth is an issue when providing mission-critical services that require instantaneous data access. Now, major players like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Project Kuiper are using satellites in Low Earth Orbit to provide high-capacity broadband at much shorter orbital distances – typically 160 to 2,000 km away – making these solutions suitable for mass deployment.

Malaysia Airlines is engaged in discussions with three carriers to establish joint business agreements (JBAs), with a potential resurgence of plans for a partnership with Cathay Pacific on the horizon.

Malaysia Airlines

Captain Izham Ismail, Managing Director of Malaysia Airlines and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), revealed the airline’s aspirations to develop multiple JBAs akin to its existing collaboration with Japan Airlines (JAL) within the Oneworld alliance.

Initially, Malaysia Airlines had sought to launch a joint business with Cathay Pacific, operating on a metal-neutral basis for flights connecting Hong Kong and Malaysia. However, these plans were shelved last year following an investigation by Hong Kong’s Competition Commission.

In a recent interview on the Window Seat podcast during Routes Asia 2024, Izham expressed ongoing discussions with three other carriers regarding joint business ventures. He emphasized the importance of JBAs as a strategic pillar for the airline’s future growth.

While remaining tight-lipped about the identity of the carriers involved, Izham hinted at a potentially aggressive approach to modeling joint businesses in the future. He also hinted at the possibility of revisiting the partnership with Cathay Pacific within the next 12 to 24 months.

The partnership between Malaysia Airlines and Japan Airlines commenced in July 2020, facilitating codeshares between Malaysia and Japan, including domestic flights. However, the collaboration with Cathay Pacific, announced in early 2022, faced regulatory scrutiny in Hong Kong.

Following an investigation by Hong Kong’s competition regulator, concerns were raised about potential violations of competition laws. Consequently, both airlines opted to withdraw their proposals, with the Competition Commission closing its inquiry in September.

Despite the setback with Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines remains committed to expanding its international network through strategic partnerships. The ongoing discussions with multiple carriers underscore the airline’s determination to strengthen its position in the global market.

As Malaysia Airlines explores opportunities for collaboration, the revival of plans with Cathay Pacific presents a potential avenue for enhancing connectivity between Malaysia and key international destinations. With JBAs at the forefront of its business strategy, Malaysia Airlines aims to navigate the evolving aviation landscape with resilience and adaptability.

Pathaan 100 Cr Entry: Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathan Released Worldwide Yesterday On January 25. Pathan Broke Everyone’s Record On The First Day. Pathan Has Earned 100 Crores Worldwide. Pathan Is Getting A Stormy Response From All Over The World. So Pathan Has Entered The 100 Crore Club On The Very First Day. Shah Rukh Came To The Big Screen After 4 Years And Made A Record.

Pathan Broke The Record Of KGF 2 In Advance Booking Itself. And Now After The First Day Is Over, Pathan Has Also Thrashed Baahubali 2. Therefore, Pathan Has Become The First Film In India To Gross The Highest On Its First Day. Shah Rukh Khan And His Fans Are Rocking At The Box Office.

Shah Rukh Khan Made A Comeback After 4 Years With Pathan. The Action-Thriller ‘Pathan’ Finally Hit The Big Screens Yesterday On January 25. His Fans Are Thronging Theaters In Large Numbers To Support The King Of Bollywood. The Way ‘Pathan’ Has Set Records In Advance Bookings, It Was Expected That The Film Will Give A Blockbuster Opening At The Box Office. With Pathan Now Entering The 100 Crore Club, That Prediction Came True

Shah Rukh Khan Is Portrayed As A Raw Agent In The Movie Pathan. On This Occasion, Yash Raj Films Is Creating Its Own Spy Universe. Hrithik Roshan’s War And Salman Khan’s Tiger Are Also Part Of The Same Spy Universe. In The Movie Pathan, Salman Khan In The Role Of Tiger Is Shown Helping Shahrukh Khan In The Mission. Therefore, There Is A Possibility That Shah Rukh And Hrithik Will Come Together In Salman Khan’s Upcoming Movie Tiger 3.