India’s satellite broadband market is getting closer to commercial service, with Starlink, OneWeb and Reliance Jio having secured GMPCS authorisations. However, licences alone are not enough to start selling satellite internet, as spectrum assignment and remaining regulatory and security clearances are still holding up the launch.
Starlink, OneWeb and Jio have crossed the licensing stage
India’s satellite internet race is now focused less on obtaining the basic telecom authorisation and more on completing the final steps required for commercial operations. The Department of Telecommunications lists Jio Satellite Communications, OneWeb India Communications and Starlink Satellite Communication among the companies holding Unified Licence authorisation for Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite services.
The distinction is important because a GMPCS authorisation does not by itself mean that a company can immediately launch a consumer satellite broadband service. Operators also need spectrum assignment and must meet applicable security and other regulatory requirements before commercial operations can begin.
OneWeb appears closest once spectrum is assigned
Among the three major contenders, OneWeb is described as being in a position to move toward launch once the remaining spectrum requirement is addressed. Economic Times reports that the company has completed the satellite deployment needed for its service and is waiting for the regulatory steps required to begin commercial operations in India.
OneWeb’s position is significant because the company is backed by Bharti Enterprises, giving it a strong connection to India’s existing telecom and enterprise connectivity ecosystem. Its Indian service is expected to be particularly relevant for locations where conventional fibre or terrestrial wireless networks are difficult to deploy.
Starlink still has regulatory work to complete
Starlink has also secured its GMPCS authorisation, but it has not yet started commercial satellite broadband operations in India. The company is continuing to work through the remaining approvals and compliance requirements before a commercial launch can take place.
Starlink’s position has attracted the most consumer attention because of its large global satellite constellation and existing international customer base. However, its global availability should not be confused with availability in India. The Indian service still depends on completing the country’s licensing, spectrum, security and other regulatory requirements.
Jio is building a satellite service around its telecom network
Reliance Jio is taking a different strategic position by developing satellite connectivity alongside its existing terrestrial network. Jio Satellite Communications is one of the three companies that has received GMPCS authorisation from the Department of Telecommunications.
For Jio, satellite connectivity could complement its existing mobile and broadband infrastructure rather than operate as an entirely separate consumer proposition. This could allow satellite links to be used in areas where fibre, mobile coverage or other terrestrial connectivity options are difficult or expensive to extend.
The exact commercial launch timing and pricing for Jio’s satellite broadband service remain dependent on the completion of the regulatory process.
Spectrum is now the crucial hurdle
Spectrum has become the central issue in India’s satellite broadband rollout. The Digital Communications Commission approved the broad framework for satellite spectrum pricing in September, including a spectrum usage charge linked to adjusted gross revenue, with a lower effective charge proposed for services covering notified rural and remote areas.
That decision was an important step toward spectrum assignment, but it did not immediately put commercial satellite services into operation. Companies still need the required spectrum allocation and must satisfy security and other conditions before launch.
This explains why the satellite internet market can simultaneously have licensed operators, operational satellite constellations and ready technology while consumers still cannot simply order the service.
What satellite broadband could change in India
Satellite internet could be particularly useful in rural, remote, border, coastal and mountainous areas where fibre deployment or conventional terrestrial networks can be difficult. The government has itself highlighted satellite communications as a potential way to address last-mile connectivity and extend services to underserved locations.
The opportunity also extends beyond households. Enterprises operating remote infrastructure, government agencies, disaster-recovery operations, transport networks and other locations without reliable terrestrial connectivity could use satellite links as a primary or backup connection.
For consumers, however, the biggest question will eventually be price. Satellite broadband has to compete not only with fixed broadband but also with increasingly extensive 4G, 5G and fixed-wireless networks in India’s urban and semi-urban markets.
Who is actually closest to launch?
There is no confirmed commercial launch date yet for Starlink, OneWeb or Jio. The latest position suggests that OneWeb could move quickly once the spectrum requirement is resolved, while Starlink and Jio are also progressing through the remaining regulatory process.
The next major milestone, therefore, is not another satellite launch or a new teaser from any of the companies. It is the completion of India’s spectrum assignment and remaining security and regulatory approvals. Once those hurdles are cleared, the long-running satellite internet race could finally move from licensing and preparation to actual commercial services for Indian customers.
