VOI world/ desk
India is likely to see the commercial rollout of satellite communication services by December, marking a major development in the country’s digital and space ecosystem. Three major players — Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Reliance Jio-SES, and Elon Musk’s Starlink — have secured all the necessary permits and regulatory clearances to begin operations, according to industry sources.
The government is currently finalising the framework for spectrum allocation, which has been a complex and long-debated issue. The allocation process is expected to be completed by October. Once the spectrum is allotted, commercial services could be launched within a month, potentially transforming internet access in remote and underserved areas.
This move is expected to significantly boost India’s space economy and improve last-mile connectivity. Satellite-based internet services are particularly useful in regions where traditional infrastructure like fibre optic cables or mobile towers are difficult to deploy. With regulatory approvals in place and policy groundwork nearing completion, India’s satellite internet era is on the horizon.
