Thiloththama Jayasinghe, Jadetimes Staff
T. Jayasinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business News
India's fledgling satellite internet sector is all set to become a battleground of sorts, with two of the most powerful billionaires globally, Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani, preparing for a face-off. Both visionaries-identified by their big-ticket ventures-have marked India as a priority growth market for satellite internet services that can bridge the digital divide in one of the most populous nations in the world. As Musk's Starlink and Ambani's Reliance Jio compete for the sky, the result of their competition may change India's internet landscape.
Satellite Internet and Its Promise in India
This is, if anything, a huge market-with over 1.4 billion residents-the majority of people are still deprived of proper internet access in the rural and remote areas of India. This is because it is hard for traditional broadband infrastructure to reach these places, and that is where satellite internet comes into the picture. The usage of satellites will help the internet service providers avoid building any ground infrastructure and give users high-speed connections to any part of the globe.
Starlink: Musk's Game Changer?
The Elon Musk-led Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has made headlines for launching thousands of LEO satellites across the world. These satellites are designed to provide high-speed internet to the whole world, especially to underserved areas. For a long time, Musk has eyed India as a critical market for Starlink, where he has been urging the government for regulatory approval for expanding operations and serving millions of potential customers.
Already, Starlink has started to take pre-orders from Indian customers who have been attracted by the proposition of connecting people in India's rural and most-remote areas. Of course, with the promise of high speeds and low latency, it is a solution that promises to change the game, especially in those areas that never experienced high-quality internet. But real challenges remain on how to position itself within India's complex regulatory environment.
Ambani's Reliance Jio: The Local Powerhouse
On the other hand, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio is not alien to any prospects of disrupting India's telecom market. In 2016, Jio had disrupted India's telecom market with a reasonably-priced 4G service, thereby making data accessible to millions. This time, Ambani has pinned his hopes on satellite internet as the next frontier. Backed by excellent understanding in the Indian market and with considerable political influence, Jio's entry into the satellite internet race could give Musk a formidable challenge.
Jio has also announced its plans to launch its satellite broadband services with SES, the European satellite company. With the resources, infrastructure, and market knowledge Jio has, it hopes to provide affordable internet access across India, including remote areas, to help achieve the government's vision of a "Digital India."
The Regulatory Challenge
While the technological wherewithal of the two companies is undoubted, the true battle may be fought over the regulatory maze in India. The Indian government, while encouraging fresh investment, is cagey about granting approvals for foreign firms such as Starlink, cautioning them to strictly follow local laws and priorities. Ambani's close linkages with the Indian establishment may give him an edge regarding securing regulatory benefits.
Everything from seeking licenses of the spectrum to various security and data privacy requirements stand as a tall order for Musk's Starlink. It becomes an added advantage for Jio considering it already has the infrastructure to its credit and the experience of working within the Indian regulatory ecosystem. But Musk is not known to back down from a challenge, and Starlink's track record for rapid deployment and innovation might just see it sail through these obstacles.
A Win for Consumers?
Whatever the outcome, it is a win for the Indian consumer in the race between Musk and Ambani. Increasing competition is likely to slice prices, raise service quality, and accelerate internet coverage in the countryside. The battle could spur new technologies further, placing India in a leading position to adopt the latest satellite broadband technology.
Furthermore, the catalyzing of economic growth with satellite internet may prove to be extremely instrumental in connecting businesses of remote areas with global markets; bridging the gaps in education due to digital access, and catching up with the healthcare system through telemedicine. It is this push by the two giants that could usher in India's future as a digitally connected nation a bit sooner than expected.
