India’s next digital revolution may not unfold on land but far above it. As the race to bring high-speed, low-latency internet from space gathers global momentum, India is positioning itself as one of the most promising frontiers. With Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite preparing to launch their satellite broadband services, the country could soon witness an entirely new chapter in connectivity – one where the internet literally comes from orbit.
SurveyAlso read: Starlink vs Broadband vs Mobile Internet: How is Satellite Internet Different?
Why India is looking to the sky
Despite India’s rapid strides in fiber and 5G deployment, millions of citizens still live in areas where traditional infrastructure struggles to reach. Mountainous terrains, dense forests, and remote islands make it logistically and economically difficult to lay cables or build towers.
That’s where satellite internet steps in. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks can beam internet directly to ground terminals almost anywhere, bypassing terrain limitations. For India, a country targeting universal connectivity across 38,000 remote villages, SATCOM (Satellite Communication) could fill the final gaps in its ambitious Digital India mission.
At the SATCOM Summit during India Mobile Congress 2025, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia underscored this potential, calling satellite communication “a right, not a luxury.” The government’s current focus is clear:Q combine private innovation with national goals to make space-powered broadband a mainstream reality.
The three key players in orbit
While each of the three companies approaches the opportunity differently, their collective presence could reshape India’s connectivity ecosystem.
Also read: From free calls to India’s AI revolution: 5 highlights from RIL AGM 2025
- Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is the most globally recognized name in satellite broadband. It uses a constellation of over 6,000 LEO satellites to deliver high-speed internet across continents. Though it has received only a Letter of Intent (LoI) in India so far, Starlink’s entry could introduce competition and bring advanced technology like laser-linked satellites and phased-array terminals to Indian consumers.
- OneWeb, backed by Bharti Enterprises and the UK government, already has a strong foothold. With all 648 satellites in orbit, it’s focusing on enterprise, aviation, and defense-grade connectivity, with India as a strategic hub for its operations. OneWeb’s technology promises sub-100ms latency and consistent coverage across the subcontinent.
- Jio Satellite, the homegrown contender, holds a GMPCS license to offer satellite broadband. Backed by Reliance’s telecom infrastructure and nationwide presence, Jio aims to integrate satellite internet into its existing fiber and 5G backbone, potentially creating India’s first hybrid terrestrial-satellite network for mass adoption.
Together, these three represent the convergence of global expertise, enterprise infrastructure, and domestic scale – a potent mix for a country of India’s size.
The technology that could power it
The new generation of satellite internet is far more advanced than earlier geostationary models.
LEO satellites orbit just 500–1,200 km above Earth, enabling much lower latency and faster data transfer. Many of them are software-defined, capable of dynamically rerouting signals to handle congestion or outages in real time.
India’s proposed ₹900 crore National SATCOM Monitoring Facility will likely employ AI and machine learning to manage spectrum, detect interference, and ensure efficient bandwidth allocation – technologies that could make India’s satellite networks among the most sophisticated globally.
Opportunities and hurdles
If realized, these satellite networks could transform everything from education and healthcare to e-commerce and governance in underserved regions. Farmers could use IoT-powered precision tools, students could access digital classrooms, and startups could emerge even in the remotest corners.
But the challenges are real.
High equipment costs, complex licensing processes, and spectrum coordination remain barriers. Weather interference and cybersecurity also pose risks – areas where AI-driven monitoring and smart routing will be critical. The market’s success will depend on affordability, reliability, and public-private coordination.
The skyward shift in India’s digital journey
India’s space ambitions are no longer limited to exploration, they’re becoming deeply infrastructural. From Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 to SATCOM 2025, the country’s leap into space-backed connectivity reflects a broader transformation: using advanced technology to make access equitable.
Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite are still in the preparatory stages, but their combined potential could define how India connects, works, and learns in the next decade. If successful, this shift won’t just close the digital divide, it could redefine what “Digital India” truly means.
Also read: How AI and European orbiters mapped 1,000 Martian dust devils across the red planet
Follow Us
Vyom Ramani
A journalist with a soft spot for tech, games, and things that go beep. While waiting for a delayed metro or rebooting his brain, you’ll find him solving Rubik’s Cubes, bingeing F1, or hunting for the next great snack. View Full Profile
