New Delhi: Reliance Jio is reportedly preparing a major satellite internet network that could eventually consist of 1,600 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), as the Indian telecom giant looks to enter the fast-growing satellite broadband market and compete with global players such as Starlink and Amazon Leo.

According to a report cited by India Today, Jio is planning to place its proposed satellite constellation at an altitude of around 650 km above Earth. If implemented, the network would operate at a higher altitude than SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, which is positioned at around 550 km, while Amazon Leo’s network operates at approximately 630 km.

The proposed project could significantly expand satellite-based internet availability in India, particularly in rural, remote and underserved areas where conventional fixed-line or mobile broadband infrastructure can be difficult or expensive to deploy.

However, Jio’s satellite service is still some time away from a full-scale rollout. The company is reportedly targeting a test flight in 2027, followed by a phased deployment and commercial operations around 2028.

Jio plans 1,600 satellites in low Earth orbit

Jio’s reported plan involves deploying as many as 1,600 satellites in low Earth orbit. The company is said to have selected an orbital altitude of about 650 km, which would place its constellation above Starlink’s reported 550-km orbit and slightly above Amazon Leo’s 630-km network.

Officials associated with India’s space-sector ecosystem have reportedly indicated that Jio’s proposed constellation would operate in a relatively less-used orbital band. The project is being coordinated with IN-SPACe, India’s agency responsible for facilitating and regulating private-sector participation in space activities.

The choice of orbit is important because satellite altitude influences coverage, latency and the number of spacecraft required to provide continuous connectivity.

Satellites positioned higher above Earth can cover larger geographical areas. This means an operator may require fewer satellites to achieve broad coverage. On the other hand, signals travelling from a greater distance can take slightly longer to reach the ground.

Jio’s reported plan therefore represents a balance between coverage and network performance.

The scale of the proposed network would still be considerably smaller than Starlink’s. Starlink already operates a constellation of more than 10,000 satellites, while Amazon Leo’s initial plan involves more than 3,000 satellites. Bharti Airtel-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, meanwhile, operates at a significantly higher altitude of around 1,200 km with a constellation of roughly 650 satellites.

Why Jio needs so many satellites

The number of satellites required by an operator depends on several factors, including orbital altitude, coverage requirements, capacity and the geographical area being served.

Jio’s planned 1,600-satellite constellation is designed to provide substantial capacity while focusing heavily on India during the initial phase.

According to the report, Jio could eventually have around 30 to 32 satellites positioned over India at a given time. These satellites are expected to provide a combined capacity of approximately 4 to 4.8 Tbps, with the overall capacity potentially reaching around 5 Tbps across the country.

The reported figures would give Jio a potentially significant position in India’s satellite broadband market.

Each satellite is expected to provide between 100 Gbps and 150 Gbps of throughput, according to the report. However, these figures should be regarded as part of the reported project specifications and could change as Jio finalises the technology and network architecture.

For comparison, Starlink has reportedly been cleared for around 600 Gbps of satellite capacity over India, while Amazon Leo has applied for around 3 Tbps of capacity.

Jio may begin testing in 2027

Jio’s satellite internet service will not appear overnight.

The company has reportedly received technical clearance for the project, although the final constellation plan is still being worked out. A test launch is expected around 2027, with only a small number of satellites initially deployed.

The purpose of this first phase would be to test the satellite hardware, software and other technologies before the company begins large-scale deployment.

According to the reported timeline, mass deployment could begin from early 2028.

Jio is also expected to take a phased approach to building the full constellation. Reports suggest the company could deploy around 400 to 500 satellites by 2030, before eventually completing the larger constellation by 2035.

The company could also deploy around 90 to 100 satellites within two to three quarters following the initial test launch to establish minimum coverage.

This gradual approach would allow Jio to test the network and expand capacity as demand develops.

Focus will be on underserved parts of India

One of the biggest potential advantages of satellite broadband is its ability to reach locations where traditional telecom infrastructure is difficult to establish.

Jio is reportedly planning to initially concentrate on the Indian market, with an emphasis on providing high-speed broadband to underserved regions.

Satellite connectivity could be particularly useful in remote villages, difficult terrain, islands and other locations where laying fibre-optic cables or building extensive terrestrial networks can require significant investment.

Jio has reportedly proposed several types of satellite services, including fixed satellite broadband and cellular backhaul. The company is also looking at mobile satellite services, including direct-to-device connectivity, which could eventually allow compatible devices to communicate with satellites without relying entirely on conventional mobile towers.

The company is also expected to establish around 20 to 22 ground stations as part of the network.

Ground stations are a critical component of satellite broadband infrastructure because they connect the satellite network to terrestrial internet infrastructure and help route traffic between satellites and users.

Jio could compete directly with Starlink

The entry of Jio into satellite broadband could significantly intensify competition in India’s emerging space-based internet market.

SpaceX’s Starlink has already positioned itself as a major global player in satellite broadband. Amazon’s Leo is also preparing its own large constellation, while OneWeb has an established network and is backed in India by Bharti Airtel.

Jio’s biggest advantage could be its existing telecom and broadband infrastructure.

Unlike a new entrant starting from scratch, Jio already has a large customer base and extensive terrestrial network infrastructure in India. A satellite service could therefore complement its existing broadband and mobile offerings rather than operate as an entirely separate business.

For consumers, increased competition could eventually result in more choices for broadband connectivity, particularly in areas where traditional networks remain limited.

However, pricing, equipment costs, service speeds and availability will determine how competitive satellite internet becomes against fibre and 5G services.

Regulatory approval remains important

Although Jio has reportedly secured technical clearance, the satellite broadband project still requires further regulatory steps before commercial operations can begin.

The report comes shortly after the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) approved recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) concerning satellite communication services.

Commercial satellite connectivity services from companies such as Jio and Starlink are expected to require further government approvals, including Cabinet approval and security clearances.

The government is also expected to finalise the spectrum usage framework for satellite communication.

The reported framework includes a spectrum usage charge equivalent to 5 per cent of adjusted gross revenue for satellite communication services. Operators serving designated rural and remote areas could reportedly receive a lower effective charge of around 4 per cent.

These regulations will play an important role in determining the final cost structure of satellite internet services in India.

Jio has also applied for orbital slots

Jio’s satellite ambitions extend beyond the immediate launch plans.

The company has reportedly submitted an application to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for orbital slots. The filing includes technical details related to the proposed satellite constellation.

Securing suitable orbital resources is an important step for any company planning a large satellite network. With several global companies expanding their LEO constellations, access to appropriate orbital positions and spectrum resources has become increasingly important.

Jio’s reported application indicates that the company is preparing for a long-term satellite communication strategy rather than simply conducting a limited technology demonstration.

Satellite internet could change India’s connectivity landscape

Jio’s reported 1,600-satellite plan represents one of the most ambitious satellite connectivity projects linked to an Indian telecom company.

If the network is eventually deployed as planned, it could provide another layer of broadband infrastructure alongside fibre, 5G and conventional mobile networks. Its greatest impact could potentially be felt in areas where terrestrial infrastructure cannot easily reach.

But the project remains several years away from full deployment. Jio is reportedly targeting a test flight in 2027, commercial services around 2028 and completion of the broader constellation by 2035.

For now, Starlink remains the dominant LEO satellite network globally, but Jio’s entry could make India’s satellite internet market considerably more competitive.

The success of the project will ultimately depend on whether Jio can balance satellite deployment costs, network capacity, consumer pricing and regulatory requirements. If it achieves those objectives, satellite broadband could become an important part of India’s next phase of digital connectivity.