A government executive has announced that Orbit Connect India, a joint venture between Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms and Luxembourg-based SES, has received approval from the Indian space regulator to operate satellites. This venture aims to provide satellite-based high-speed internet access.
The three approvals come amid intense competition from companies like Amazon and Elon Musk’s Starlink, all seeking to launch satellite communication services in India.
The authorisations, which had not been previously reported, were granted in April and June by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). These permissions allow Orbit Connect to operate satellites above India. However, further approvals from the country’s department of telecoms are needed before operations can commence, reports Reuters.
Also read: Forget Starlink, Amazon may start offering satellite internet service very soon in India
Inmarsat, another company aiming to provide high-speed satellite-based internet, has also received approval to operate satellites over India, according to IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka. Meanwhile, two other companies, Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon.com’s Kuiper, have submitted applications for similar approvals.
Eutelsat’s Bharti Enterprises-backed OneWeb received all necessary approvals late last year, according to the report.
According to Deloitte, India’s satellite broadband service market is projected to grow by 36% annually over the next five years, reaching $1.9 billion by 2030.
Goenka stated that increased involvement of companies in India’s satellite broadband sector would be beneficial for consumers.
“Comparatively low pricing of communication services in India will compel global players to drive innovation to reduce their pricing,” said Goenka, the former managing director of automaker Mahindra & Mahindra.
“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 also mentioned that IN-SPACe will soon authorise private companies to operate ground stations. This development will allow satellite operators to download data as they pass over India.
