Is BharatNet threatened by Starlink and Kuiper?

India’s BharatNet project, aiming to connect rural areas with fibre-based broadband, has faced persistent delays due to logistical, bureaucratic, and technical hurdles, missing multiple deadlines since its 2011 launch. As of early 2025, only about 30 percent of India’s villages have broadband access through BharatNet, with fiber deployment reaching over 692,000 km and nearly 220,000 gram panchayats made service-ready. Despite these efforts, rural connectivity remains patchy, especially in remote and challenging terrains.

The emergence of satellite internet providers—notably Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper—now poses a direct challenge to BharatNet’s relevance. Satellite technology can deliver high-speed internet to areas where fibre is impractical or costly to deploy, addressing the “last mile” problem that has plagued BharatNet. Starlink and Kuiper are both seeking regulatory approval in India and plan to offer affordable, reliable connectivity to underserved regions, leveraging their global satellite constellations.

This has sparked debate over whether BharatNet should pivot toward a hybrid model, incorporating both fibre and satellite technologies. While fibre remains essential for high-capacity, low-latency connections—especially for data centres, government institutions, and telecom towers—satellite internet is seen as a complementary solution for remote and hard-to-reach areas. Industry voices suggest that subsidies for both technologies could maximize reach and efficiency.

The Indian government is already exploring this hybrid approach. Under the revamped BharatNet project, satellite connectivity is planned for approximately 10 percent of gram panchayats in remote or mountainous regions where fiber deployment is challenging. Pilot projects have tested satellite links, and private telcos like Airtel and Jio are partnering with global satellite providers to expand their offerings.

However, satellite internet has limitations, including susceptibility to weather disruptions and higher costs compared to fibre. Fibre infrastructure will remain foundational for India’s digital backbone, supporting the backhaul and gateway needs of satellite networks.

In summary, BharatNet’s future lies in a pragmatic, diversified strategy: leveraging fibre for core connectivity and integrating satellite solutions for the most remote areas. This approach aligns with India’s broader tech sovereignty goals, striking a balance between indigenous development and global partnerships, and ensuring resilient and scalable internet access for all.

CT Bureau