Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb has applied for fast-track approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to launch its twin earth station gateways in India, which will be connected to its low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. The goal is to offer broadband-from-space services to South Asian customers, with the exception of Pakistan and China.
In a January 29 letter, the company told the DoT that its proposal would position India as a satellite communications global hub catering to the needs of international customers across the South Asia region. The letter further stated that the initiative holds geopolitical importance as India can leverage its satellite infrastructure to provide critical services such as satellite-based emergency alerts and disaster recovery assistance across South Asia.
The firm highlighted that its two Indian feeder-link earth station gateways in Mehsana (Gujarat) and Tamil Nadu are technically competent to reach its own LEO satellites. These satellites would serve markets beyond India and provide satcom services to more than 25 countries in the region. Eutelsat OneWeb satellite broadband offerings will address the diverse set of requirements that involve internet access, inflight broadband services, sea communication for commercial ships at international waters, and disaster recovery applications.
The company also aims to provide satellite-based backhaul connectivity, which will enable South Asian telecom operators to extend wireless broadband reach to remote regions with inadequate towers or fiber network connections. Although the company’s satellite infrastructure is very wide in scope, Eutelsat OneWeb will be running on a B2B (business-to-business) model only, with international telecom and distribution partners as its customers.
The company’s efforts to secure advance approval from DoT are in line with the Indian Space Policy 2023, which promotes Indian players to offer satcom services globally. Eutelsat OneWeb’s satellite infrastructure in India is ready for deployment and, once cleared by the government, will start working with international distribution partners and local telecom operators in targeted markets in South and Southeast Asia. They are Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. They will assist in providing multiple satcom services to clients within these nations through the use of the company’s LEO satellite capacity.
While Eutelsat OneWeb has a GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite Services) license to provide satellite internet service in India, businesses are not yet allowed to provide satellite broadband services for commercial purposes in India until satellite spectrum is made available through the administrative path. That has not happened yet, and Eutelsat OneWeb is requesting the government permission to utilize its Indian satellite earth station gateways for providing satcom service to markets beyond India.
Indian Space Association (ISpA), an alliance of satellite and space companies, has joined Eutelsat OneWeb in urging early DoT clearance. Permitting Eutelsat OneWeb to provide satcom services beyond India would not only open up revenue streams for the company but also benefit the Indian government, ISpA Director General Anil Bhatt said. Use of the satellite gateways in India by international services would yield license revenue for the Indian government, from the revenues by the Bharti-backed satellite player.
The latest Trai recommendation is also in favour of this proposal, recommending that satcom companies be allowed to utilize satellite gateways in India to offer services in other nations after getting the Centre’s clearance. This can open the way for Eutelsat OneWeb to go ahead with its plans, ushering in new possibilities for India’s space industry and increasing satellite connectivity in the South Asian region.
As India continues to stake its claim as a strong player in the international satellite communications industry, the expedited approval of Eutelsat OneWeb’s satellite infrastructure could be a strong move for building the nation’s strength in the emerging satcom industry. Siliconindia