India is poised for a major shift in connectivity as Orbit Connect India, a joint venture between Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms and Luxembourg-based SES, has received the necessary approvals to operate satellites over the country. This approval marks a significant milestone toward accelerating satellite-based internet access across India’s vast and varied terrain.
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) granted permissions to Orbit Connect in April and June, authorizing the venture to operate satellites within Indian territory. While reports indicate that services will also need clearance from the Department of Telecommunications before commercial operations begin, the partnership between Jio Platforms and SES aims to deliver high-speed, gigabit-capable internet from space—an advancement that could dramatically expand connectivity where terrestrial networks are limited.
A competitive frontier
India’s satellite internet sector is becoming increasingly competitive. Global players such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper and SpaceX’s Starlink are competing alongside established services like OneWeb, backed by Eutelsat and Bharti Enterprises, which already secured permissions last year. Market analysts project strong growth: Deloitte estimates India’s satellite broadband market could grow at roughly 36% annually, reaching about US$1.9 billion by 2030.
IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka suggests that heightened competition will spur innovation and more competitive pricing. He noted that India’s historically low communication service prices tend to push multinational companies to adapt their offerings. That dynamic, seen previously in sectors such as automotive, is expected to drive satellite service providers to find cost-effective models tailored to Indian consumers.
Jio’s dominance and prospects
Reliance Jio already commands a dominant position in India’s telecommunications market. As of March 2024, Jio held more than 52% of the country’s broadband subscriptions, representing roughly 481 million users. Jio’s 2016 entry transformed India’s mobile data landscape—data consumption surged and India rose rapidly in global mobile data rankings.
By March 2024, total mobile data consumption in India reached 40.9 billion GB, with average monthly per-user consumption near 28.7 GB. Jio’s extensive 5G subscriber base—about 108 million users, the largest outside China—gives it a substantial advantage as it prepares to expand services via satellite. That scale should help Jio integrate satellite-delivered broadband with its existing network footprint.
The government’s role in the satellite internet boom
Government policy has been a key driver in expanding India’s space and satellite communications sector. Recent regulatory reforms, including permission for 100% foreign direct investment in satellite component manufacturing without prior approval, have attracted investor interest and boosted funding into the industry.
According to IN-SPACe leadership, investment figures have risen substantially, reflecting growing confidence in India’s space ecosystem. Legislative changes such as the Telecommunications Bill 2023 have also helped streamline the allocation of satellite spectrum and airwaves, enabling firms including OneWeb, Reliance Jio Satellite Communications Ltd, and Starlink to proceed toward commercial operations. These policy moves are likely to accelerate rollouts of satellite broadband services across India, potentially as early as 2024.
Globally, the race to connect rural and remote regions via satellite is intensifying: Amazon plans large-scale investment in Project Kuiper, SpaceX continues expanding Starlink’s constellation, and neighboring countries have started issuing approvals for new entrants. This regional momentum underscores the strategic importance of satellite broadband in closing connectivity gaps.
A new dawn for digital India
As the satellite broadband market in India takes shape, expanded coverage is expected to reduce the digital divide—especially for rural and underserved communities. The entrance of multiple international and domestic players should foster competition, drive technological innovation, and encourage more affordable service plans. The result could be improved connectivity, higher speeds, and broader access to digital services for consumers nationwide.
Beyond consumer benefits, wider satellite connectivity can support economic development, enhance education and healthcare delivery in remote areas, and enable new business models and services. With Jio and its competitors advancing toward commercial satellite internet deployments, India is positioned to undergo a significant digital transformation that could serve as a model for other countries seeking to expand reliable internet access.
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