In the competition to offer satellite broadband services in India, Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb is emerging as a leading contender, poised to outpace competitors like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio. Setting itself apart by securing demo satellite spectrum in the ‘Ka’ and ‘Ku’ bands through administrative channels, Eutelsat OneWeb diverges from Starlink’s retail user focus by targeting enterprise and government clients.
Engaging in trials with key clients in India’s defense and public sectors, the company is gearing up for a full commercial launch, expecting commercial satellite spectrum allocation imminently. With intentions to adhere to regulatory frameworks outlined by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Eutelsat OneWeb aims to serve sectors such as defense, aviation, maritime, and government, while also extending satellite connectivity to bolster mobile broadband coverage in rural areas lacking terrestrial backhaul links.
Open to offering backhaul support services to any telco operating in rural India, Eutelsat OneWeb holds licenses from the space industry regulator, IN-SPACe, and operates earth stations in Gujarat and near Chennai, positioning itself as a pivotal player in India’s satellite communication market. With a focus on narrowing the digital gap, particularly in underserved rural regions, the growth prospects in India’s space economy are substantial, with projected value expected to reach $44 billion by 2033.
Recent revisions in FDI rules for the space sector, categorizing satellite broadband as a telecom service, pave the way for heightened foreign investment, enabling pure satellite internet providers to attract 100% FDI through the automatic route, akin to telecom service providers.
