Union Minister for Communications and DONER, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has said that India is poised to become the world’s largest satellite communication (satcom) market, as the technology will play a key role in bridging last-mile connectivity.
In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Scindia emphasised that satcom is not here to compete with traditional communication technologies, but to complement them, especially in areas where mobile towers or fibre cables are difficult to deploy.
“India will be the largest satcom market in the world. Don’t forget we have 17 percent of the world’s population. We have the highest levels of penetration and connectivity in our country. What does Satcom do? It is not a competitor; it is a compliment for every consumer,” he told CNN-News18.
Scindia added that satellite communication is the only viable solution in remote, hilly, or disaster-hit areas.
“It enables you to reach where no other technology can reach. There are still parts in the world, in every single country, be it India or any other, where the terrain is hostile, where you cannot install mobile towers or lay fiber. The only option in those areas is to provide not only communication and connectivity, but opportunities to every citizen through satcom,” he said.
India opens up to global satcom players
When asked about Elon Musk’s Starlink receiving a license to operate in India, Scindia said that India is ready to welcome all satcom players who meet regulatory conditions.
“This is the third (satcom) licence being given out in India, and there are others also in queue. India is ready as a vibrant market to welcome every player into our country as long as they check all the boxes,” Scindia told CNN-News18.
He explained that the licence and spectrum would be provided through an administrative mechanism, with pricing to be determined by the regulatory authority.
“The market is wide open to come and service our customers,” he added.
Satcom to drive innovation and disaster resilience
Scindia also noted that the rise of satellite communication in India will spur innovation and contribute to building a new ecosystem of emerging technologies.
“It is a whole new ecosystem that comes to India,” Scindia said, adding that satcom would be crucial during natural disasters, when traditional networks collapse.
“In times of natural disasters, like the ones seen in Myanmar or Indonesia, the only technology that works when normal communications are down is satcom,” he said.
Empowering the consumer with more choices
Stressing his role as the Communications Minister, Scindia said the government’s job is to create multiple channels of connectivity, allowing consumers to choose the best option.
“Satcom is a necessary addition to the bouquet of communication capabilities. My job as Minister of Communications is to provide every available avenue of communications to every single citizen, be it mobile, fixed wireless access, broadband, fiber cable or satellite. Then it is for the consumer to choose which via media he goes by to connect with the world,” Scindia told CNN-News18.
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