India is planning to launch a satellite service to provide broadband Internet access, similar to the projects of OneWeb and SpaceX. The project will be implemented by the largest holding Reliance Industries, headed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
The Indian telecommunications company Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has created a joint venture Jio Space Technology with the Luxembourg-based firm SES. The main objective of the new combination will be to provide scalable and affordable next-generation broadband services in India using satellite technology.
According to the statement, the joint venture will use multi-orbit space networks combining satellite constellations in geostationary and medium earth orbit, which can provide multi-gigabit Internet channel to companies, retail users in India and neighboring regions. Jio will also become a major customer of the joint venture under a multi-year agreement worth a total of $100 million.
Reliance officials have not yet clarified whether Jio Space Technology will launch satellites in low earth orbit (LEO), which provides faster data transfer and less latency.