Reliance Industries' Jio to Provide Satellite-Based High-Speed Internet with IN-SPACe Approval
In Short:
- Jio, in partnership with SES, receives Indian space regulator's approval for satellite internet.
- Competitors like Amazon and Elon Musk's Starlink are also seeking similar approvals.
- Further authorization from the telecom department is required to commence operations.
- India's satellite internet market is seeing increased competition and regulatory developments.
Reliance Industries' Jio has received a green light from the Indian space regulator to operate satellites for delivering gigabit fibre internet, according to a government official. This crucial approval was granted to Orbit Connect India, a joint venture between Jio and Luxembourg-based SES. The authorization marks a significant step as global players like Amazon and Elon Musk's Starlink also vie for similar permissions to launch satellite internet services in India.
Orbit Connect India plans to provide high-speed satellite-based internet access across the nation. Reports from Reuters indicate that the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) granted these authorizations in April and June. However, the company still requires additional approvals from the telecom department before it can start operations.
Notably, Bharti Enterprises-backed OneWeb received all necessary approvals late last year. IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka mentioned that Inmarsat, another company aiming to offer satellite-based high-speed internet, has also been approved to operate over India. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper have submitted applications and are awaiting approval.
Last year, the Indian government introduced a draft bill for the telecommunications sector, suggesting a licensing model for satellite internet services. This proposal includes the allocation of spectrum without requiring companies to bid for it.
In India, companies like Jio and Vodafone Idea advocate for an auction-based system for satcom spectrum allocation, adhering to the Supreme Court's 2012 directive of "same service, same rules." On the other hand, Airtel has raised concerns that auctions might favor international companies, potentially disadvantaging local firms and leading to market dominance by global players. Similarly, companies like Starlink, Amazon's Project Kuiper, Telesat, and Bharti-backed OneWeb argue that auctions could result in higher consumer costs for satellite internet services.