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Reliance Jio has submitted plans to India's space regulator to deploy a constellation of about 1,650 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, marking its most ambitious push yet into satellite-based broadband and placing it in direct competition with global players including Starlink and Project Kuiper.
According to a report by The Economic Times, Jio Satellite Communications Ltd (JSCL), a joint venture between Reliance Jio and Luxembourg-based SES, has approached the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) seeking authorization for the project.
The proposed constellation is expected to comprise around 1,500 satellites operating in LEO and another 150 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), creating a hybrid network designed to deliver broadband connectivity across India and international markets.
The move signals Reliance's intent to build its own satellite infrastructure rather than relying solely on partner networks. At present, JSCL offers satellite connectivity using SES's existing MEO satellite fleet.
The planned deployment comes as competition in India's satellite communications market heats up. Starlink recently secured regulatory approvals to offer satellite internet services in the country, while Amazon-backed Project Kuiper is also preparing to enter the market.
Unlike traditional geostationary satellites, LEO constellations operate much closer to Earth, reducing latency and enabling broadband services that are better suited for applications such as video conferencing, cloud computing and enterprise connectivity. A hybrid LEO-MEO architecture can also provide broader coverage while improving network resilience and capacity.
Industry analysts view satellite broadband as a key component of India's digital infrastructure strategy, particularly for extending connectivity to remote and underserved regions where terrestrial fiber and mobile networks remain difficult or uneconomical to deploy.
The scale of Jio's proposed network would make it one of the largest satellite initiatives planned by an Indian telecom operator and aligns with the company's broader strategy of expanding its digital infrastructure portfolio beyond mobile and fiber networks.
The project will, however, require multiple regulatory approvals and significant capital investment before commercial deployment. The report did not specify a timeline for satellite launches or service rollout.
If approved, the constellation could strengthen Jio's position in enterprise connectivity, rural broadband and government communications while giving the company greater control over its satellite services as demand for AI workloads, cloud applications and ubiquitous broadband continues to grow.
According to a report by The Economic Times, Jio Satellite Communications Ltd (JSCL), a joint venture between Reliance Jio and Luxembourg-based SES, has approached the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) seeking authorization for the project.
The proposed constellation is expected to comprise around 1,500 satellites operating in LEO and another 150 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), creating a hybrid network designed to deliver broadband connectivity across India and international markets.
The move signals Reliance's intent to build its own satellite infrastructure rather than relying solely on partner networks. At present, JSCL offers satellite connectivity using SES's existing MEO satellite fleet.
The planned deployment comes as competition in India's satellite communications market heats up. Starlink recently secured regulatory approvals to offer satellite internet services in the country, while Amazon-backed Project Kuiper is also preparing to enter the market.
Unlike traditional geostationary satellites, LEO constellations operate much closer to Earth, reducing latency and enabling broadband services that are better suited for applications such as video conferencing, cloud computing and enterprise connectivity. A hybrid LEO-MEO architecture can also provide broader coverage while improving network resilience and capacity.
Industry analysts view satellite broadband as a key component of India's digital infrastructure strategy, particularly for extending connectivity to remote and underserved regions where terrestrial fiber and mobile networks remain difficult or uneconomical to deploy.
The scale of Jio's proposed network would make it one of the largest satellite initiatives planned by an Indian telecom operator and aligns with the company's broader strategy of expanding its digital infrastructure portfolio beyond mobile and fiber networks.
The project will, however, require multiple regulatory approvals and significant capital investment before commercial deployment. The report did not specify a timeline for satellite launches or service rollout.
If approved, the constellation could strengthen Jio's position in enterprise connectivity, rural broadband and government communications while giving the company greater control over its satellite services as demand for AI workloads, cloud applications and ubiquitous broadband continues to grow.
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