Explained: Satcom set to transform connectivity landscape with Starlink pacts with Jio, Airtel

While terrestrial networks, such as fiber optics and mobile towers, are prevalent in urban and well-connected regions, they face challenges in remote and hard-to-reach areas like mountains, deserts, and oceans.

With Starlink partnering with Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel, India’s telecom sector is poised for a significant transformation, with satellite-based communication emerging as a crucial solution for bridging connectivity gaps in areas where fiber deployment is challenging. This collaboration—pending SpaceX’s final authorization to offer Starlink services in India—will allow Jio, Airtel, and SpaceX to explore ways to integrate satellite broadband into existing telecom infrastructure while also supporting SpaceX’s direct-to-consumer and enterprise offerings.

While Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio’s satellite division have already secured the necessary approvals, Starlink is steadily progressing after meeting key regulatory requirements set by Indian authorities.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how satellite communication is set to reshape India’s telecom industry and improve consumer connectivity.

Satcom’s Role in Complementing Terrestrial Telecom

While terrestrial networks, such as fiber optics and mobile towers, are prevalent in urban and well-connected regions, they face challenges in remote and hard-to-reach areas like mountains, deserts, and oceans. Satellite communication (Satcom) addresses this gap by providing global connectivity. For example, satellite services offer essential internet access in locations where terrestrial infrastructure is insufficient.

During natural disasters that damage ground-based infrastructure, satellite networks often serve as the only reliable communication channel. Satellite communication (Satcom) can also enhance mobile networks by connecting isolated base stations to the core telecom network. Furthermore, it supports the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, especially in remote industrial settings such as oil rigs, mines, and agricultural areas.

Satcom’s Impact in India

India's vast and diverse geography presents significant opportunities for satellite communication (satcom). While urban areas have developed strong telecom infrastructure, rural regions—home to over 65% of India’s population—remain largely underserved. Satcom can help bridge this connectivity gap by providing internet access to remote areas and facilitating essential services like education, healthcare, and agriculture.

Initiatives such as "Digital India" and "BharatNet" aim to connect every village to the internet, and satcom will be crucial in achieving this goal, especially in regions where laying fiber optic cables is impractical. Additionally, satellite communication is essential for disaster management in India, where natural disasters often disrupt terrestrial networks. It also supports defense and security operations in remote and high-altitude border regions.

LEO, MEO, and GEO: The Backbone of Satcom

LEO (Low Earth Orbit): Satellites in low Earth orbit (below 2,000 km) offer low latency and high data rates, ideal for real-time communication and high-speed internet. LEO satellites excel in providing connectivity in underserved areas and are critical for applications requiring low latency, like video conferencing, online gaming, and remote medical services. LEO constellations from operators like SpaceX's Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon Kuiper promise global coverage, particularly in remote regions.

MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) Positioned between 2,000 and 35,786 km, MEO satellites offer a balance of latency, coverage, and cost. While LEO excels in latency and GEO in regional coverage, MEO sits between the two, making it versatile for multiple applications. Companies like Intelsat, SES, and Viasat are key players in providing MEO-based broadband services.

GEO (Geostationary Orbit): Orbiting at 35,786 km, GEO satellites remain stationary relative to the Earth, offering continuous coverage over specific areas. These satellites are commonly used for broadcasting, direct-to-home (DTH) TV, and government services. Major GEO satellite operators include Intelsat, SES, and Eutelsat.

Spectrum Bands for Satcom Services

Satcom operates on different frequency bands, each with distinct applications:

C-band: Widely used for satellite TV and broadband.
Ku-band: Commonly used for satellite internet and DTH services.
Ka-band: Offers higher data rates, ideal for advanced applications like 5G backhaul and high-definition video streaming.

India’s Satellite Broadband Market set to expand as Jio, Bharti Airtel partner with Starlink

India’s satellite broadband market is poised for rapid expansion, driven by increasing demand for rural connectivity and government support for space-based communication. Deloitte projects the market to grow at an annual rate of 36%, reaching $1.9 billion by 2030. This growth is propelled by a mix of global players like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper, along with domestic initiatives such as Jio-SES and Eutelsat OneWeb.

In a major industry shift, Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel have joined hands with Starlink to accelerate satellite broadband deployment in India. This collaboration signals a new phase in the sector, leveraging the expertise of both telecom giants to expand connectivity to underserved areas.

Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper have been making strides toward obtaining the Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite Services (GMPCS) license and separate approval from IN-SPACe for their non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) constellations. With Starlink now aligning with Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel, industry insiders expect a smoother regulatory pathway, facilitating faster market entry.

Currently, OneWeb and the Jio-SES partnership have secured the necessary approvals.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is set to announce pricing details for satellite communication spectrum soon. This move comes as India’s space economy is projected to reach $44 billion by 2033, increasing its global market share from 2% to approximately 8%, according to IN-SPACe.

India’s government recently allocated satellite spectrum administratively instead of through auctions, aligning with global norms.

Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary