Jio Proposes 1,600 Satellites at India Mobile Congress Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Reliance Jio has unveiled plans for a 1,600-satellite low Earth orbit network at India Mobile Congress, aiming to extend internet access to remote areas. The proposal emerges amidst a public dispute over Starlink's regulatory delays.
Reliance Jio presented a proposal for approximately 1,600 low Earth orbit satellites and 23 ground stations at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi. The initiative aims to expand internet connectivity to remote villages, islands, and border areas, according to a Moneycontrol report.
The announcement comes amid a public dispute regarding regulatory delays for SpaceX's Starlink service in India. Elon Musk had publicly criticized the delays, questioning the influence of certain business interests in the approval process.
Under the banner "Sovereign Satellite Connectivity," Jio's proposed network would utilize ground stations to link satellites with terrestrial infrastructure. The company stated the system would complement its existing network, extending coverage to over 600,000 villages.
The system is intended to support broadband, direct-to-device calling, and connectivity for various sectors including businesses, aviation, maritime operations, and disaster response. Jio plans for domestic development and operation of the network. The satellite count, ground stations, and coverage targets remain part of the proposal.
Jio's proposal runs parallel to its existing satellite partnerships. The company has previously collaborated with SES and SpaceX on satellite services. Government officials stated that all satellite network providers, including Starlink, Jio, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, are undergoing a similar regulatory evaluation, with security assessments currently in progress.