Reliance Jio, under the helm of Mukesh Ambani, has long been a dominant force in India’s telecom sector.
However, a new challenger in the form of Elon Musk’s Starlink threatens to disrupt the space and broadband industry.
As Ambani prepares to launch a satellite-based broadband service akin to Starlink, it seems he might be trailing behind Musk in the “space race”.
Reports indicate that Starlink has received tentative approval from India’s Ministry of Communications, with final clearance pending from the Home Ministry on security grounds.
The commercial and technical aspects have already been scrutinised, paving the way for Starlink to potentially receive a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services license, essential for offering satellite communication services in the country.
Musk’s endeavours with Starlink in India have faced hurdles in the past.
Previous attempts in November 2022 were marred by disagreements with the government, leading to the cancellation of planned satellite communication service trials.
However, recent legislative developments, such as the Telecommunications Bill 2023, have eased spectrum allocation for satellite-based services, benefiting players like Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon’s Kuiper.
Musk’s upcoming visit to India, where he plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is anticipated to mark significant announcements.
Alongside potential investments ranging from $2 billion to $3 billion, Musk is expected to unveil the launch of Starlink in India, posing a formidable challenge to existing telecom giants like Reliance Jio.
As the “space race” between Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Musk’s Starlink unfolds, the telecom landscape in India braces for transformative shifts, promising increased connectivity and competition in the broadband sector.
