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Jio Aims for the Stars with Satellite Broadband
18 Jun
Summary
- Jio plans 1,600-1,650 LEO satellites for broadband and direct-to-device.
- This initiative marks India's first entry into the lucrative LEO satellite segment.
- The project could require an investment of $10-15 billion, creating terabits of capacity.
Reliance Jio is developing a plan to deploy its own constellation of 1,600 to 1,650 satellites. These satellites will orbit at approximately 650 kilometers above Earth, with the goal of offering broadband and direct-to-device services. This initiative is expected to be operational within the next two to three years.
The proposal has been submitted to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre for evaluation. This move signifies India's debut in the highly competitive low Earth orbit satellite sector, currently dominated by players like Starlink. Experts estimate the investment for such a constellation could range from $10 billion to $15 billion, capable of producing terabits of communication capacity.
This strategic development is seen as a move to reduce dependence on foreign satellite providers, especially amid growing national security concerns. The Indian government is reportedly supporting Jio's International Telecommunication Union filings for orbital slots. The satellite unit will be integrated into Jio Platforms, which is also preparing for an upcoming initial public offering.
