Eutelsat OneWeb Secures Approval for Satellite Broadband Services in India
Eutelsat OneWeb, a subsidiary within the Eutelsat family, announced a significant achievement on Tuesday. It received the nod from India’s space regulatory body, paving the way for the commencement of commercial satellite broadband services in the country. This milestone aligns seamlessly with the ongoing efforts of the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Modi, to drive advancements in the nation’s burgeoning space sector, a pivotal agenda given the imminent elections.
Following India’s strategic decision to open avenues for private launches in 2020, the entrepreneurial space landscape experienced a remarkable surge. The number of startups mushroomed from 21 to an impressive 47 within just one year. Reflecting this dynamic growth, investments soared to $119 million in 2022 alone, a substantial leap from the cumulative $38 million injected into the space domain in the years leading up to 2017. Investors are drawn to the perceived cost-effectiveness of Indian launches compared to their European counterparts, coupled with the allure of tapping into a vibrant manufacturing hub.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, co-chair of Eutelsat Group’s board, expressed readiness for deployment, contingent upon the receipt of the final spectrum authorization. The approval, granted by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, carries a validity period of five years.
Strategic Collaboration Between OneWeb and ISRO in Satellite Launch
Under the patronage of Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Enterprises, OneWeb forged a strategic collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This partnership resulted in the joint launch of 36 satellites in March, underscoring the commitment to advancing satellite technology.
Despite the anticipated meteoric rise of the global commercial space market from $400 billion to a projected $1 trillion by 2030, India presently holds a modest 2% market share. This represents an area of strategic focus for the government, aspiring to secure a formidable $40 billion slice by 2040.
The satellite broadband arena is witnessing the intensification of competition, notably between Elon Musk’s Starlink and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance. The discord over the allocation of satellite broadband spectrum in India sets the stage for a clash between two of the world’s most affluent individuals. Adding to the mix, Amazon’s Project Kuiper is actively exploring entry into the Indian market, engaging in dialogues with regulatory authorities to introduce satellite broadband services, as reported by the Economic Times in the preceding month.
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