Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms has made a significant stride in the race to provide satellite internet in India. A joint venture between Jio Platforms and Luxembourg-based SES has received crucial approvals from the Indian space regulator to operate satellites, marking a key milestone in their efforts to offer gigabit fiber internet services.
Regulatory Approval for Orbit Connect India
The approval was granted to Orbit Connect India, a subsidiary aiming to provide high-speed satellite-based internet access. This development comes amidst a competitive landscape where global giants like Amazon.com and Elon Musk’s Starlink are also vying to enter the Indian market with their satellite communication services.
According to a report by Reuters, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) issued the necessary authorizations in April and June, allowing Orbit Connect to operate satellites over India. While these approvals are significant, additional regulatory clearances are still required before operations can commence.
Competitive Landscape and Consumer Benefits
IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka emphasized the benefits of having multiple players in the satellite communication sector. Inmarsat has also received approval to operate satellites over India, highlighting a growing interest and competition in the industry. Goenka noted that increased competition would drive innovation and better pricing for consumers.
“Comparatively low pricing of communication services in India will compel global players to drive innovation to reduce their pricing. This is already being done in many industries like automotive, where multinational OEMs had to innovate to meet the expectations of Indian consumers of high performance and low cost,” Goenka stated.
Future Prospects and Market Growth
In addition to Jio Platforms’ Orbit Connect, Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon.com’s Kuiper have also applied for permissions to launch satellite services in India. The competition among these tech giants underscores the immense potential of the Indian market for satellite internet.
A report by Deloitte predicts that India’s satellite broadband service market is poised for substantial growth, with an expected annual increase of 36% over the next five years. By 2030, the market is projected to reach $1.9 billion. This rapid growth is driven by the increasing demand for high-speed internet access, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Conclusion
The recent approval for Orbit Connect India represents a significant advancement for Jio Platforms in the satellite internet domain. As more companies enter this space, the competitive environment is likely to foster innovation and cost-effective solutions, ultimately benefiting Indian consumers with better and more affordable internet services.
