Reliance's Jio gets approval to launch satellite internet in India: Report

Reliance's Jio platform's joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES will soon be able to launch satellite internet in India. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre or IN-SPACe, India's space regulator, has given its approval to the JIO and SES JV to provide gigabit fibre internet which aims to provide satellite-based high speed internet access, reported Reuters. This comes as global companies including Amazon and Elon Musk's Starlink are also looking to launch satellite communication services in India

The joint venture between Jio and SES is named Orbit Connect India which aims to provide satellite-based high-speed internet access

Hurdle cleared for Orbit Connect

Orbit Connect has now received three approvals. Previously in April and June the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre granted authorisation to operate satellites above India. However, further approvals were needed from the country's department of telecom to begin operations.

Reuters quoted consultancy Deloitte and said that India's satellite broadband service market is expected to grow 36% per year over the next five years and reach $1.9 billion by 2030.

Growing demand for satellite operations

As per Reuters, Inmarsat, another company hoping to provide high-speed satellite-based internet, has also gotten approval to operate satellites over India. Late last year, Eutelsat's Bharti Enterprises-backed OneWeb received all of its approvals.

"Comparatively low pricing of communication services in India will compel global players to drive innovation to reduce their pricing," IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka told Reuters

The report further said that the race to connect rural areas of the world via space-based internet is accelerating globally. Last week, Sri Lanka gave Starlink preliminary approval to provide internet services there.

Boost to space sector

Meanwhile, Reuters further added that IN-SPACe will also soon authorise private companies to operate ground stations which would enable satellite operators to download data as they pass over India.

The government had opened foreign direct investment into the space sector and said that the outside companies could invest in the manufacture of components and systems or sub-systems for satellites up to 100% without approval.

"Last year investments into private companies were $2 million-$7 million. This year they are talking $20 million-$30 million," Pawan Goenka told Reuters.

Also Watch: Elon Musk's satellite company Starlink may soon get India's approval to start service