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Jio and Airtel pitched against each other again
With Nelco having withdrawn its application to offer satellite-based broadband services in the country, the tussle is once again between Reliance Jio and Airtel.
In November last year, the Tata company had applied for the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence to provide services in collaboration with Canada-based satellite operator Telesat. First in-orbit demonstration of high-speed broadband connectivity in the country using Telesat low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite had been conducted. Telesat it seems has also cut down on the planned launch of its satellites.
With satellite communication space gaining traction, the field is now wide open for Bharti Enterprises-backed OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications.
Elon Musk-owned Starlink seems to be taking its time in completing the formalities to get the GMPCS licence. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which is Amazon’s satellite communications leg, earlier not interested in offering services in the Indian market, has made an attempt to fast-tracked its presence in the country. The firm is yet to get its GMPCS licence.
According to EY and Indian Space Association, the space economy is expected to be a $13 billion industry by 2025, and of that satellite services and applications will constitute the largest 36% share.
CT Bureau
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