Jio Ties Up With SES For Affordable Satellite-Based Broadband Services

The two companies have collaborated to form a JV in which Jio Platforms will own 51 per cent, while SES will own 49 per cent equity stake

The joint venture will be the vehicle for providing SES’s satellite data and connectivity services in India, except for certain international aeronautical and maritime customers who may be served by SES, the statement said. Image: Getty

New Delhi: India’s leading digital services company Jio Platforms on Monday announced a joint venture (JV) with Luxembourg-based SES, to offer satellite-based broadband services in India, said a statement.

SES, a leading global satellite-based content connectivity solutions provider, and Jio Space Technology Limited, have collaborated to form a JV in which Jio Platforms will own 51 per cent, while SES will own 49 per cent equity stake.

According to the media statement, “The joint venture will be the vehicle for providing SES’s satellite data and connectivity services in India, except for certain international aeronautical and maritime customers who may be served by SES. It will have availability of up to 100 Gbps capacity from SES and will leverage Jio's premiere position and sales reach in India to unlock this market opportunity.”

The joint venture will use multi-orbit space networks that is a combination of geostationary (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellations capable of delivering multi-gigabit links and capacity to enterprises, mobile backhaul and retail customers across the length and breadth of India and neighbouring regions.

“Jio, as an anchor customer of the joint venture, has entered into a multi-year capacity purchase agreement, based on certain milestones along with gateways and equipment purchase with total contract value of circa $100 million,” the statement said.

Akash Ambani, director, Jio, said, “While we continue to expand our fibre-based connectivity and FTTH business and invest in 5G, this new joint venture with SES will further accelerate the growth of multi-gigabit broadband,” while adding that “with additional coverage and capacity offered by satellite communications services, Jio will be able to connect the remotest towns and villages, enterprises, government establishments, and consumers to the new Digital India.”

Steve Collar, CEO, SES, said, “This joint venture with Jio Platforms is a great example of how SES can complement even the most extensive terrestrial networks to deliver high-quality connectivity, and positively affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people. We look forward to this JV whereby we can play a role in promoting digital inclusion in India.”