Reliance Jio gets approval to launch satellite internet service in India

India’s one of the leading telecommunication service providers, Reliance Jio, has received approval from the Indian space regulator to launch satellite-based Internet services in India. According to reports, the authorizations were granted in April and June by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). It will allow Orbit Connect to operate satellites above India. However, the company still needs approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) before commencing operation.

For the unaware, Reliance Jio partnered with Luxembourg-based SES to deliver high-speed broadband internet connectivity in the country, including areas where fiber or mobile connectivity is not feasible. The company will utilize the medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite technology, including SES’s O3b and new O3b mPOWER satellites to provide broadband-like high-speed internet service in India. Moreover, it will also support additional capacity for mobile backhaul.

Back in October 2023, Reliance Jio demonstrated its satellite-based internet service at the India Mobile Congress. The company connected four of the remotest locations in India, including Gir in Gujarat, Korba in Chhattisgarh, Nabrangpur in Odisha, and ONGC-Jorhat in Assam, with JioSpaceFiber technology.

Apart from Reliance Jio, Other global players like Starlink and OneWeb are also making strides to launch their satellite-based internet services in India.