Bengaluru: A joint venture between Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms and Luxembourg-based SES has received approval from India’s space regulator to operate satellites in the country, confirmed a senior government official, as reported by media sources.
The approvals granted to Orbit Connect India in April and June by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) pave the way for satellite-based high-speed internet services. Competing with firms like Amazon.com and Elon Musk’s Starlink, these approvals mark a significant development in India’s satellite communication landscape.
Reliance, the owner of Jio, did not immediately respond to requests for further details.
IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka disclosed that Inmarsat, another company seeking to provide satellite-based internet, has also secured similar approvals. Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper have applications pending for similar operations.
India’s satellite broadband market is projected to grow by 36% annually over the next five years, reaching an estimated $1.9 billion by 2030, according to Deloitte.
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Globally, the competition to connect rural areas via satellite internet is intensifying. Amazon’s Kuiper, announced in 2019 with a $10 billion investment plan, and SpaceX’s Starlink, which began deploying operational satellites in 2019, are leading this charge.
Recently, Starlink received preliminary approval from Sri Lanka to offer internet services, underscoring the global reach and ambition of satellite-based internet providers.
Goenka highlighted that increased competition in India’s satellite communication sector would benefit consumers through innovation and potentially lower pricing, akin to trends seen in other industries such as automotive.
IN-SPACe is also set to authorize private companies to operate ground stations, enabling satellite operators to download data as satellites pass over India.
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Prime Minister Modi’s government, now in its rare third term, has been actively promoting the development of India’s space industry. The recent opening of the sector to foreign direct investment without prior approval for satellite manufacturing components has sparked increased investor interest.
“Investments in private companies last year ranged from $2 million to $7 million. This year, they are expected to rise significantly to $20 million to $30 million,” noted Goenka, signaling a growing confidence and interest in India’s space capabilities.
