Jeff Bezos led Amazon recently knocked on the doors of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to seek a certain approval. What are Amazon’s plans for India and what is this permission regarding? Read along to find it all out.
According to a report by ET, Amazon has sought this particular approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) in order to run broadband-from-space services in India. If this is granted, it will make Amazon the newest member of India’s fast-growing satellite communications (satcom) market. However, Amazon is not the only player here. The satcom market in India already hosts key players like Elon Musk-owned Starlink, Bharti-backed Oneweb, and Reliance Industries’ Jio Satellite.
Also read: SpaceX to seek approval for Starlink Satellite Internet Service in India
The report further added that this new entry is linked to India’s newly issued space policy that aims at attracting private investment in the satcom market.
Amazon, however, is not stopping here. It is heard that it could soon also apply for a global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) license at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It is yet to be seen where Amazon stands and when it will actually be able to use its technology in India.
ET quoted an industry official who said, “Amazon is looking to start offering services in India at the same time as the global launch.”
Also read: Elon Musk’s Starlink will soon be available on Recreational Vehicles
As far as the others are concerned, Bharti-backed Oneweb and Reliance Industries’ Jio Satellite have already secured the license that Amazon is in the hunt for. And an inter-ministerial panel will discuss Starlink’s future this week, according to an Economic Times report.
With the new policy in place, many international players are looking to tap into the potential in the Indian satcom market that is yet to be fully explored. Once these players enter the market, we will have to see how the Indian players survive against their foreign counterparts and how it will transform the Indian satcom industry.
