New Delhi — Reliance Jio has received a major boost for its satellite communications ambitions after India's space regulator found its proposal for a constellation of around 1,600 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to be technically sound, according to government officials familiar with the matter.
The assessment was carried out jointly by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Department of Telecommunications.
The technical clearance marks an important step toward establishing India's first large-scale indigenous non-geostationary (NGSO) LEO satellite constellation, which is expected to expand broadband connectivity, improve digital infrastructure, and strengthen India's long-term space and communications capabilities.
Technical Review Opens Door for Next Regulatory Steps
Following the technical evaluation, the government can now support Reliance Jio in securing international approvals required for the project. One of the key next steps will be coordination with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to obtain orbital slots and spectrum rights while ensuring compatibility with other satellite operators worldwide.
These filings are necessary to prevent interference between satellite networks and enable global coordination for satellite operations.
As of now, neither IN-SPACe nor Reliance Jio has publicly commented on the latest regulatory developments.
Planned Network Offers High Data Capacity
According to officials, Jio's proposed satellite network is designed to provide 4.5 to 5 terabits per second (Tbps) of total data capacity over India, making it the highest planned satellite capacity for the Indian market so far.
The satellites are expected to operate at an altitude of approximately 650 kilometres, with around 32 satellites visible over India at any given time, allowing continuous coverage across the country.
The proposed constellation is intended to support both:
- Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), including broadband internet and cellular backhaul for remote telecom towers.
- Mobile Satellite Services (MSS), including direct-to-device connectivity that would allow compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites in areas without terrestrial mobile coverage.
To support operations, Reliance Jio plans to establish 20 to 22 ground stations across India.
Comparison with Other Satellite Operators
The proposal places Jio among the largest planned satellite communication projects focused on the Indian market.
For comparison:
- SpaceX's Starlink, which operates more than 10,000 satellites globally, has approval for around 600 gigabits per second (Gbps) of capacity over India.
- Amazon's Project Kuiper plans to provide approximately 3 Tbps of capacity but is still awaiting full regulatory authorisation from IN-SPACe.
If implemented as planned, Jio's network would offer significantly higher planned capacity within India than either of these proposed services.
Supporting India's Strategic and Sovereign Communications
Officials said the project is expected to contribute to India's efforts to build sovereign satellite communication capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign satellite networks for critical connectivity.
The proposal has gained importance as governments worldwide increasingly focus on secure communications, strategic control of data infrastructure, and resilient satellite networks.
Initial discussions within the government have also explored the possibility of integrating defence-related payloads on some satellites in the future. If approved, these payloads could support military communications, surveillance, and secure data transmission for strategic operations.
IN-SPACe's assessment also noted that the constellation's orbital architecture has been designed to allow coexistence with future Indian satellite constellations, providing room for further domestic expansion in the sector.
Investment and Long-Term Plans
Industry estimates suggest that building and deploying a constellation of this scale could require an investment of $10 billion to $15 billion (approximately ₹95,000 crore to ₹1.42 lakh crore).
Reliance Jio has already secured a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) licence and other preliminary approvals for satellite services.
The company is currently following a dual strategy by leasing satellite capacity from existing global operators for near-term services while simultaneously developing its own indigenous satellite network for long-term operations.
Once deployed, the constellation is expected to improve broadband access in remote villages, islands, border regions, and other underserved areas where conventional terrestrial networks remain limited.
The project also aligns with India's broader push to expand domestic capabilities in satellite communications, digital infrastructure, and space technology while supporting both commercial connectivity and strategic national interests.
Source : economictimes
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