Reliance Jio has partnered with the Luxembourg-based telecom company, SES, to initiate a joint venture called the Jio Space Technology Limited. The reason is to build an authentic satellite-based broadband technology that will provide 100 Gbps speed. This move has put Elon Musk’s Starlink in jeopardy as Reliance Jio’s satellite-based broadband technology aims to offer a competitive alternative.
According to Jio Reliance, the satellite broadband service will be able to supply multi-gigabit links and connectivity to Indian companies and users with a maximum connection speed of 100 Gbps.
In order to provide its customers with a high-speed internet connection, the service—yet unnamed—will combine geostationary, also known as GEO, and medium earth orbit, or MEO for short, satellites.
The combination of GEO and MEO starlink satellites will ensure widespread coverage across India, even in remote areas where internet connectivity is currently limited. With this, Jio poses a threat to Starlink by potentially disrupting its nascent operations in India.
As stated by SES in a press release, ”Jio Platforms Limited (“JPL”), India’s leading digital service provider, and SES, a leading global satellite-based content connectivity solutions provider, today announced the formation of a joint venture – Jio Space Technology Limited – to deliver the next generation scalable and affordable broadband services in India leveraging satellite technology. JPL and SES will own 51% and 49% equity stake in the joint venture respectively.
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The joint venture will use multi-orbit space networks that is a combination of geostationary (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellations capable of delivering multi-gigabit links and capacity to enterprises, mobile backhaul and retail customers across the length and breadth of India and neighbouring regions.”
Elon Musk’s Starlink in Threat –
The motive of Starlink is to provide satellite broadband services by setting up operations to retain Indian customers. However, the company had to refund the pre-registered customers due to regulatory restrictions on its operations in India, citing licensing concerns.
Therefore, because of the government’s intervention, Starlink experienced a setback and suspended its plans to provide satellite broadband services in India.
Even though Starlink did not initially launch in India, it gave Jio enough leverage to explore the potential of satellite broadband services in the country. Given that Jio already has a sizable customer base in India, it will be interesting to see how things pan out. Prior to this, Airtel declared that it had partnered with Hughes Communications India to offer satellite internet services throughout India.
The most recent player in this market is Jio and with majority control in the joint venture, it has the potential to reshape the landscape of broadband services in India.
Anam is a journalism student with a penchant for writing. In this tech-driven world, she is having quite fun exploring the intersection of journalism and technology. She enjoys experimenting with various digital tools and platforms to enhance her storytelling skills. Apart from that, she finds solace and joy in the playful antics of her beloved cat, creating cherished moments of companionship and laughter.
Anam Khan