Introduction

As the demand for high-speed internet continues to rise, the concept of beaming internet connectivity directly from satellites has gained significant attention worldwide. This technology, known as satellite communications (satcom)-based internet service, promises to deliver connectivity even in the most remote areas. However, its viability for users in India remains a topic of discussion.

Current State of Satcom in India

• Despite the growing interest, satcom services are not yet operational in India.
• The primary hurdle lies in the pending allocation of satellite bandwidth by the Central Government.
• Operators assert that their technology is ready for deployment in India, but the licensing process remains a significant barrier.
• For instance, Elon Musk’s Starlink started accepting pre-registrations for its satcom internet service in 2019.
• However, protests from competitors led to Starlink refunding all users who had signed up by 2022.
• Currently, joint ventures by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have received approval to offer satcom services, but actual operations are still awaited.

Approaches of Satcom Operators

• Each satcom operator has a different strategy for targeting users upon launch.
• Starlink, the most well-known among them, is focusing on both individual consumers and businesses.
• It has introduced a ‘Mini’ battery-operated router that can be used anywhere to access fiber-standard broadband internet.
• The Airtel consortium, which includes OneWeb and Hughes, has not ruled out consumer services and plans to use its low Earth orbit satellites to compete with Starlink.
• Meanwhile, Reliance Jio’s joint venture with SES of Luxembourg is expected to initially target enterprise customers, as the business use cases for satcom are considered more promising.

Major Satcom Players in India

• The key players in India’s satcom landscape include Airtel’s consortium with OneWeb and Hughes, and Reliance Jio’s joint venture with SES.
• Both have received the necessary licenses to operate. Starlink has also applied for a license, but it is still pending approval.
• Additionally, Jeff Bezos-backed Project Kuiper is expected to enter the Indian market in the next two years, while Tata-backed Nelco withdrew its application last year.

Challenges for Consumer Adoption

• One of the main challenges for satcom services as a consumer product is the high cost.
• Setting up satcom technology is expensive, and competing with the pricing of terrestrial fiber and mobile broadband services is difficult.
• For example, Starlink charges a $299 (₹25,000) one-time fee and $120 (₹10,000) per month, which is steep compared to existing broadband options in India.
• Moreover, the dense network offerings in most regions, except for fringe areas where fiber has not yet been laid, make satellite broadband a surplus service.

Device Compatibility Issues

• Another significant hurdle is device compatibility. Consumers will need specialized antennas to receive satellite signals.
• The cost of setting up ground stations for satcom firms is considerably higher than that of a standard broadband router, which is often provided for free.
• Direct satellite connectivity with devices is still a technology of the future. Currently, only Apple’s iPhone 14 and 15 series have built-in satellite receptors.
• Qualcomm’s initiative to integrate satellite chips into devices was discontinued in December last year.

Conclusion

While the promise of satellite internet holds great potential, several challenges need to be addressed for it to become a viable option for Indian consumers. The high cost of technology, pending regulatory approvals, and device compatibility issues are significant barriers. However, with the entry of major players like Airtel, Reliance Jio, and potentially Project Kuiper, the future of satcom in India looks promising. If these challenges can be overcome, satellite internet could revolutionize connectivity, especially in remote and underserved areas.