Tata’s Nelco Teams Up with Eutelsat to Launch OneWeb LEO Satellite Internet in India

Tata Group’s Nelco has announced a strategic partnership with global satellite giant Eutelsat to deliver OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based high-speed internet services across India. The move promises secure, low-latency connectivity for the land, maritime, and aviation sectors, reaching deep into remote areas, border zones, and territorial waters where traditional internet infrastructure is limited or non-existent.

Under this collaboration, Nelco will roll out OneWeb’s LEO services as soon as the satellite network becomes commercially operational in India. The offering is aimed at government agencies, defense forces, enterprises, and transport operators, supporting national security, critical infrastructure, and economic growth.

High-Tech Satellite Specifications

OneWeb’s LEO constellation, now fully deployed in orbit, consists of 648 satellites positioned at 1,200 kilometers above Earth, providing global coverage. The system operates in the Ku-band, delivering:

• Speeds up to 195 Mbps per terminal

• Round-trip latency of 70–100 milliseconds – significantly lower than traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites

• Seamless handover between satellites for uninterrupted connectivity in motion, ideal for ships, aircraft, and trains

• Secure, encrypted communications to meet government and defense-grade security standards

The LEO architecture enables direct connectivity to user terminals without reliance on extensive terrestrial networks, making it a game-changer for remote and high-mobility operations.

Strategic Importance for India

By integrating OneWeb’s technology with its local expertise, Nelco aims to fill a critical connectivity gap in India’s rural hinterlands, mountainous regions, offshore installations, and border posts. The initiative aligns with national priorities such as:

• Digital India Mission – bridging the rural-urban digital divide

• Maritime and Aviation Modernization – supporting real-time navigation, passenger services, and operational safety

• Defense Communications – ensuring secure, high-speed links for military outposts and border patrols

• Disaster Response – enabling emergency communications in areas where infrastructure is damaged or unavailable

Nelco is also exploring multi-orbit satellite solutions, combining LEO with medium Earth orbit (MEO) and geostationary (GEO) systems for redundancy and uninterrupted coverage—a competitive advantage as India’s satellite broadband market expands.

Market and Future Outlook

India’s satellite internet sector is expected to witness rapid growth, driven by demand from industries such as energy, shipping, aviation, and rural broadband. Nelco’s tie-up with Eutelsat and OneWeb positions Tata Group at the forefront of this transformation, competing against emerging players like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

With commercial rollout expected soon, the collaboration could help India leapfrog traditional infrastructure challenges and establish itself as a hub for advanced satellite communications in Asia.