Beyond Fibre and 5G
For all the talk of 5G speeds and expanding fibre networks, a significant portion of India remains offline or poorly connected. The country's vast and varied geography—from the Himalayas to remote villages and dense forests—makes laying cables and erecting
mobile towers economically unviable or physically impossible. This is the gap that satellite broadband, specifically from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, aims to fill. Unlike traditional geostationary satellites that orbit far from Earth and cause significant lag, LEO satellites circle just a few hundred kilometres overhead. This proximity allows them to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet directly to a small user terminal on the ground, effectively bypassing the need for terrestrial infrastructure. For millions of Indians, this technology isn't just a faster option; it's the only viable path to meaningful digital inclusion.
The Titans Descend on India
The contest to capture India's satellite broadband market is a battle of billionaires. Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has already secured a license, is a major contender. Also in the fray is Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by India's own Bharti Group, which has been ready with its ground stations for some time and is urging a swift commercial launch. Not to be outdone, Reliance Jio is developing its own ambitious service, JioSpaceFiber, in partnership with satellite operator SES, and has already demonstrated its capabilities in several remote locations. And then there's Amazon's Project Kuiper (recently rebranded Amazon Leo), which sees India as a critical market and is actively seeking a path to entry, though it faces some regulatory hurdles. Each player brings massive financial backing and technological prowess, setting the stage for intense competition.
The Great Regulatory Hurdle
For years, the biggest question mark hanging over this industry wasn't technology, but policy. The key conflict was how the government would allocate satellite spectrum—the invisible airwaves these services depend on. Would it be sold in expensive auctions, favouring deep-pocketed telecom giants, or assigned administratively for a fee? In a landmark decision in early September 2026, India's Digital Communications Commission (DCC) provided much-needed clarity. It opted for administrative allocation, a move widely welcomed by the satellite operators as it lowers the upfront investment barrier. Companies will be granted spectrum for five years and will pay a usage charge of 5% of their annual revenue, which is reduced to 4% for services in remote and hard-to-reach areas to encourage rural connectivity.
The Final Checkpoints
While the spectrum allocation decision is a massive step forward, the race isn't quite at the finish line. The DCC's proposal must still be formally ratified by the Union Cabinet. Furthermore, each operator must secure final security clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs before they can begin commercial operations. These final approvals have been a source of delays in the past, with security agencies exercising caution. However, with the primary policy framework now in place, the path to launch is clearer than ever before. The industry is now watching closely to see how quickly these final administrative steps can be completed, allowing services to finally roll out to consumers and businesses.
A Billion-User Prize
The stakes are enormous. Connecting the last hundred million Indians is not just a social imperative but a massive economic opportunity. The Indian satcom market was valued at over $3 billion in 2025 and is projected to nearly double by 2034. For the companies involved, it’s a chance to secure a foothold in one of the world's largest untapped digital markets. For India, it’s about unlocking the next wave of digital transformation. Bringing reliable, high-speed internet to the country's most remote corners can revolutionize education, enable tele-health services, create new opportunities for e-commerce, and integrate millions more into the formal digital economy. This is the promise that keeps the satellite broadband story so compelling; the outcome will shape India’s development for decades.
