MC EXCLUSIVE US chipmaker Qualcomm sees satcom playing a secondary role to 5G, eyes India’s larger role in 6G

akash palkhiwala qualcomm

American chipmaker Qualcomm’s COO and CFO, Akash Palkhiwala, said satellite communications (Satcom) will play a critical but secondary role for most devices, with 5G remaining the primary network.

“For phones, the first network is 5G, with satellite as a backup where coverage isn’t available. For aeroplanes, satellite is the primary network,” he told Moneycontrol, emphasising Qualcomm’s long-standing commitment to satellite technology. “It’s a technology we’re passionate about, and we’ll continue to support it.”

He ruled out the possibility of regular direct satellite calls for consumers, citing financial and performance considerations: “You’ll continue to use 5G networks for that; satellite will remain a backup network.”

This comes weeks after Elon Musk’s Starlink received provisional spectrum clearance from the Department of Telecommunications, allowing the company to begin trial satellite broadband services in India and move closer to a commercial launch.

With the telecom department currently reviewing Trai’s recommendations on satcom spectrum pricing, India could see its first commercial satellite communication services in the next few quarters.

Three major players – Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Reliance Jio-SES, and Starlink – have already secured all required permits and clearances, while the government is reportedly finalising the complex process of spectrum allocation, industry executives said.

However, some experts note that delays in clarifying the spectrum allocation process—even though Jio-SES and Eutelsat OneWeb had been ready with their infrastructure, including ground stations, months earlier—have caused India to miss an opportunity to become a regional hub for satcom services.

On 6G, Palkhiwala said India has a “tremendous opportunity” to shape global standards.
“You have to get involved early and influence decisions in standards bodies. Qualcomm’s growing presence in India gives us a very good sense of what the Indian market needs. We’re also working with key players on spectrum, performance, and device costs. The foundation of 6G will be built around AI, which aligns with the broader conversation on artificial intelligence,” he said.
India remains one of Qualcomm’s fastest-growing markets.

“It has a very large consumer base under 30 years old, and that consumer base wants the best experiences. They’re not looking to compromise or buy lower-tier devices. That’s great for us because it allows us to contribute to societal change while also benefiting financially,” he said.

Qualcomm is aligning closely with India’s semiconductor and AI missions, backing government initiatives while positioning itself to play a larger role in the country’s digital ecosystem. Alongside its expanding R&D base, the company supports skilling programs and working with suppliers on chip packaging and manufacturing.

Palkhiwala also confirmed Qualcomm’s entry into the data center business with CPUs and AI accelerator chips, noting that India will be part of this expansion.

On India’s AI mission, he highlighted Qualcomm’s dual approach: “AI will be hybrid—it will run both in the cloud and on devices. We have a very strong position in devices, and we’ll contribute through that.”

Addressing the digital divide, Palkhiwala emphasised the company’s commitment to making technology accessible.

“200–250 million people still use older technologies. One of our jobs is to make it more accessible and affordable. Once people use data and more powerful devices, they want even more and continue to upgrade. We shouldn’t leave this population behind.”