Airtel-Backed OneWeb Bags Approval From Space Regulator For Satellite Broadband Services In India

The Indian subsidiary of the low-earth orbit operator Eutelsat OneWeb, known as OneWeb India, has got the necessary approval from the recently established space regulatory body.

Satellite companies are awaiting government nod to initiate their satellite-based broadband services in India.

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Eutelsat-OneWeb, backed by Bharti Airtel, has obtained approval from the Indian space regulator for the launch of its commercial satellite broadband service in India. The Indian subsidiary of the low-earth orbit operator Eutelsat OneWeb, known as OneWeb India, has got the necessary approval from the recently established space regulatory body in the country, the media has reported. This approval is crucial to proceed with the launch of its commercial satellite broadband services in India.

The company announced that it has become the first organization to obtain authorization from the nodal agency for the launch of its satellite broadband services in the world's second-largest market of Internet users, says a report by TechCrunch. This achievement precedes the plans of SpaceX's Starlink and Reliance's JioSpaceFiber. However, the actual launch depends upon spectrum allocation by the Indian government, which is still pending.

“This will be a critical step forward to meet India’s ambition of providing internet connectivity for all and will enable the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India. Eutelsat OneWeb is ready to deploy as soon as it receives the final spectrum authorization to launch commercial services," Bharti Group chairperson and vice-president of the Board of Directors of Eutelsat Group, Sunil Bharti Mittal, was quoted as saying in a statement.

Satellite companies are awaiting government nod to initiate their satellite-based broadband services in the country. According to sources familiar with the matter, the TechCrunch report added, satellite broadband providers are seeking administrative allocation for the commencement of their services, while telecommunication companies are advocating for spectrum auctions.

Notably, earlier in October, Reliance Jio introduced its satellite communications service, Jio Space Fibre, during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023. Elon Musk-owned Starlink is also actively pursuing a global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) license and Amazon, led by Jeff Bezos, on the other hand, is seeking a stake in commercial satellite broadband service, with its application currently awaiting government consideration.