SpaceX can soon start talks with Jio, Vodafone Idea for Satcom collaboration in India

Some months ago news came out that, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is planning to partner with local companies to manufacture satellite communications equipment in India. And now, news has arrived that Elon Musk’s SpaceX will soon begin negotiations with Indian telecom service provider Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, BharatNet, and Raitel for a possible collaboration to provide satellite communications or services in areas where broadband is difficult to access from space. 

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, India’s head of SpaceX’s Starlink operation, Sanjay Bhargava, said that Starlink was taking illegal bookings in India without any regulatory permits or licenses, and said it was “illegal” and defrauding consumers. Indian swarm of satellites but it takes some time and capital.

He added that Bharti Global-UK government-backed rival OneWeb is not an Indian constellation. Since March 2021, the company has been accepting pre-bookings for a high-speed Internet service, which has dropped from a low-Earth group. -Orbit (LEO) satellites for a fully refundable deposit of $ 99 (approximately Rs. 7500). Bhargava had previously said that pre-orders from India for Starlink services had already crossed 5000. 

SpaceX has recently registered a 100% owned subsidiary in India, Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited (SSCPL), which allows it to begin applying for licenses. Bhargava said the company’s Indian unit will begin to make advances in the unit and follow all the rules. 

FullWorks Global-Supported OneWeb Amazon with SpaceX. The Tata-Telesat combination is ready to enter India’s relatively fast broadband-to-space segment and control their low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite galaxies. Experts see India as a major emerging satellite broadband services market with an annual revenue potential of approximately $ 1 billion.

About 75% of rural India has no access to broadband. This is because many places do not yet have a cellular or fiber connection. Similarly, LEO satellite systems are currently being looked at as an expensive but viable alternative. Bhargava said the company offers its own representation to the government and various departments for licensing and other regulatory requirements and does not belong to any industry representative associations. 

The Industry Body Indian Space Association (ISpA) has recently been formed into a group of space and satellite companies, as are many other associations. And among others consider OneWeb as a member. Executives also said Starlink was subsidizing the cost. Its service to India already. Starlink is already subsidizing a lot of costs.

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