Jio targets low-Earth satellite internet rollout in India
What's new: The company plans to lease capacity from global constellations while building Indian ground stations and future satellites.
Jio Platforms is preparing a low-Earth-orbit satellite communications rollout in India, expanding beyond its terrestrial telecom network as Starlink still awaits a commercial launch in the country. Managing Director Akash Ambani said Jio is working with global constellation providers to lease satellite capacity for a faster start while it develops a longer-term domestic capability. The company also plans to build ground station infrastructure in India to support partner networks and any future Jio satellites. The move targets connectivity gaps in remote and underserved areas, where Starlink has also sought to operate. Progress on SpaceX's service has been slow, with Bloomberg reporting last week that approvals were effectively frozen over security concerns.