Reliance Jio is reportedly planning a significant foray into satellite communication, proposing to develop and launch a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation comprising 1,600 to 1,650 satellites. These satellites would orbit at an altitude of approximately 650 kilometers and are intended to provide broadband and direct-to-device services across India within the next two to three years.
Strategic National Initiative
The Mukesh Ambani-led company has submitted its proposal to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), which is currently evaluating the technical architecture and configuration of the planned constellation. If approved, this initiative would mark the first attempt by an Indian entity to enter the LEO satellite segment, a domain currently dominated by foreign players.
This move comes amidst a broader national push by countries to reduce their reliance on overseas satellite operators, driven by heightened national security concerns. Foreign satellite communication providers, such as Starlink, have faced increased scrutiny on these grounds.
Government Support and Investment Scale
Government officials have indicated a willingness to support Reliance Jio with the necessary International Telecommunication Union (ITU) filings to secure orbital slots, underscoring the strategic importance of this sector. Similar support is expected to be extended to other Indian companies interested in developing domestic satellite communication capabilities.
Industry experts estimate that constructing a satellite constellation of this magnitude would require substantial investments, potentially ranging from $10 billion to $15 billion (approximately ₹95,000 crore to ₹1.42 lakh crore). Such a network could generate several terabits of capacity, depending on the specific satellites deployed.
Jio Platforms and Market Competition
The satellite communication business will be integrated into Jio Platforms, the digital services arm of Reliance Industries, which also houses Jio's other digital assets and is itself preparing for an initial public offering (IPO).
Globally, several major players are already active in or developing LEO satellite networks. Amazon's Project Kuiper, for instance, is deploying approximately 3,200 satellites, with over 300 already in orbit. Similarly, Eutelsat OneWeb currently operates around 654 satellites in space, highlighting the competitive landscape Reliance Jio is poised to enter.