Reliance Jio, spearheaded by Mukesh Ambani, is on the verge of obtaining critical approvals for its satellite-based internet services in India. Sources reveal that the telecom giant has completed all necessary submissions to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), signaling a significant step towards introducing gigabit fibre services across the country.
Gaining these approvals from IN-SPACe is imperative for Jio to deploy global satellite bandwidth capacity within India. The process involves rigorous security clearances and approvals from multiple ministries, making it a complex yet essential step for the telecom giant.
In the past year, Jio Platforms entered a joint venture with Luxembourg-based satellite communications player SES to deliver broadband connectivity through satellites. Despite securing a GMPCS license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the awaited IN-SPACe authorizations are crucial for Jio’s satellite arm.
Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by Bharti, currently stands as the only global satellite constellation operator to have received approvals from IN-SPACe. The competition intensifies as Jio and its alliance with SES compete against major players like Starlink, Amazon, and the Tatas for an early advantage in India’s growing satellite communications market.
Jio’s president, Mathew Oommen, highlighted the capability of Jio’s satellite services unit to launch JioSpaceFiber services within weeks of spectrum allocation. The new Telecommunications Act of 2023, supporting the administrative allocation of satellite spectrum, is expected to expedite the process through the DoT.
IN-SPACe’s recent estimation forecasts a potential $44 billion space economy in India by 2033, a significant increase from its current 2% global share to an anticipated 8%.
Here’s a breakdown of satellite-based internet’s key aspects:
- Global Coverage: Satellite internet offers global coverage, reaching remote or underserved areas where traditional internet infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites: Utilizing LEO satellites reduces latency in data transmission compared to traditional satellites, enhancing internet performance.
- High-speed Internet: Satellite internet promises high-speed connectivity comparable to or exceeding traditional wired connections, overcoming infrastructure limitations.
- Ease of Installation: Users receive a small satellite dish and modem for installation, providing internet access without extensive infrastructure requirements.
- Challenges: Despite its advantages, satellite internet may face challenges such as latency, weather interference, and potential service interruptions during satellite transitions.
