Reliance Jio is targeting September 2027 for the test launch of its proposed 1,600-satellite low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation, as the telecom giant steps up its satellite broadband play. According to Economic Times, the test launch will involve placing a few satellites in orbit to evaluate the network's hardware, software, and other technologies before mass deployment begins in early 2028. Jio plans to deploy around 400-450 satellites by 2030 and complete the constellation by 2035. As per sources, around 90-100 minimum coverage satellites are planned to be sent in two-three quarters after the test launch, meaning India can start getting satellite connectivity in 2028.
Jio's satellites are expected to operate at an altitude of around 650 kilometres and offer throughput of 100-150 Gbps each. Once the constellation is fully deployed, around 30-32 satellites could be positioned over India at any given time, offering aggregate capacity of as much as 4.8 Tbps, according to Economic Times. This capacity would be higher than the capacity proposed by other LEO operators in India, with Starlink's approved capacity at around 600 Gbps and Amazon Leo having reportedly sought approval for about 3 Tbps. The company has also filed an application with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the orbital resources required for the network.
Jio's satellite network is expected to initially focus on India, particularly underserved regions, before expanding globally. The company is also looking to build ground stations in India to support both partner networks and its future satellites. Jio's push builds on its partnership with Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES, with the two companies operating satellite communications joint venture Jio Space Technology Limited, formerly known as Jio Satellite Communications. The company is also considering working with global constellation operators while developing its own satellite capabilities.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has approved a 5% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as the annual spectrum usage charge for satellite internet service providers including Starlink, OneWeb and Jio Satellite, according to officials and industry executives. The companies are also expected to receive a 1% discount for serving users in government-notified hard-to-connect areas, such as border towns, hills, and islands. As per government officials, the discount applies to far-flung areas where satellite internet connectivity offers an advantage over traditional mobile networks. The spectrum will be allocated via a non-auction route for a period of five years, extendable by two years. However, TRAI's proposed ₹500-per-subscriber charge for urban areas was rejected by DoT due to implementation challenges in differentiating between rural and urban areas.
Jio's proposed constellation would add another major player to India's emerging satcom market, where Elon Musk-led Starlink, Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, and Amazon Leo are also seeking to launch services. The development comes at a time when Jio Platforms, which houses Reliance Jio Infocomm, is gearing up for its IPO. The company is expected to begin investor outreach for its nearly $4 billion public issue next week and is targeting the IPO in November, as reported by Bloomberg. The Digital Communications Commission (DCC) has cleared the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) recommendations on satellite spectrum allocation, with satellite providers receiving spectrum for five years and a 5% spectrum usage charge on Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR). However, security clearances and foreign direct investment (FDI) clearance will be required before commercial services can begin, with Starlink and Amazon Leo requiring FDI clearance while Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite would not need FDI clearance.
India's satellite communication (satcom) market size was valued at $3.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $6.3 billion by 2034, according to a report by the IMARC group. Satellite broadband services are yet to begin in India, where the market opportunity is expected to be large. Experts noted that satellite broadband will facilitate remote telemedicine and digital education, with the majority of use cases originating from the enterprise sector. As per PwC India, the approval removes a key regulatory hurdle for satellite broadband in India, with a 5% spectrum usage charge, reduced to 4% for rural and remote areas, being a pragmatic approach that balances government revenue with the economics of a capital-intensive business. The five-year spectrum tenure provides operators greater investment certainty, with the bigger challenge now being execution and scaling coverage to make satellite broadband affordable beyond underserved markets.
