Jio’s 1,600-Satellite Plan: India’s Answer to Starlink, With Ground Stations, Timeline and Capacity Explained

Imagine fast internet reaching a remote village where no mobile tower or fibre cable has ever gone. That’s the promise behind Reliance Jio’s plan for a homegrown satellite network, and…

By Reetam Bodhak

October 9, 2026

3 min read

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Imagine fast internet reaching a remote village where no mobile tower or fibre cable has ever gone. That’s the promise behind Reliance Jio’s plan for a homegrown satellite network, and it just cleared an important hurdle.

Jio’s Satellite Plan : Overview

Detail	Info
Satellites planned	About 1,600 in low Earth orbit
Orbit height	Around 650 km
Capacity over India	4.5 to 5 Tbps
Ground stations	About two dozen (reports say 20 to 23)
First test flight	Expected in 2027
Services expected	Around 2028
Full network	Targeted for 2035

What Just Happened?

India’s space regulator IN-SPACe has reportedly found the plan “technically sound” and comparable to global systems like Starlink. That clearance paves the way for government support in securing international orbital slots. Jio still has to register its orbits through the ITU, coordinate with other satellite operators and build its ground infrastructure, so this is a milestone rather than a finish line.

How Does It Compare With Starlink?

Capacity is where Jio’s pitch stands out. Starlink holds approval for 600 Gbps in India, and Amazon Leo has proposed 3 Tbps without authorisation yet. Jio’s 4.5 to 5 Tbps would be the highest planned for India so far. The satellites would sit higher than Starlink’s, which means fewer of them can cover larger areas. Think of it as a wide net cast from further up.

What Will It Offer?

Jio plans fixed satellite services such as broadband and cellular backhaul, plus direct-to-device mobile connectivity. The initial focus is expected to be underserved regions of India. Reports say a few test satellites could launch in 2027, with services around 2028 and the full constellation by 2035.

Conclusion

Analysts quoted in media reports put the cost at roughly $10 billion to $15 billion, and returns will take time. There’s also a national-security angle, since talks have begun on whether defence payloads could ride on some of the satellites. With governments wary of relying on foreign operators, a sovereign network has strong strategic appeal.

Want more tech and telecom updates? Explore the latest on Technosports, browse our telecom news or catch up on tech trends. To understand the technology, see low Earth orbit on Wikipedia.

Jio’s plan is ambitious, well-backed and still years from reaching your phone. Regulatory approval is a strong first step, but the real test will be launching satellites and delivering the service.