Reliance Jio Unveils India’s First Satellite-Based Giga Fibre Service

SA TeamOctober 28, 2023

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Three points you will get to know in this article:

• Reliance Jio Infocomm has introduced JioSpaceFibre, India’s first satellite-based giga-fibre service.
• JioSpaceFibre aims to provide fast and reliable internet connectivity to remote and challenging-to-reach regions across India.
• Jio Infocomm has partnered with SES to deliver satellite-based broadband services in India and has received approval to offer global mobile personal communication by satellite (GMPCS) services in India.

Reliance Jio Infocomm, led by Mukesh Ambani, has unveiled JioSpaceFibre, marking a significant milestone as India’s inaugural satellite-based giga-fibre service. Tailored to cater to remote and challenging terrains, JioSpaceFibre is engineered to deliver swift and dependable internet connectivity. With a commitment to widespread accessibility at economical rates, the company disclosed its intent to roll out JioSpaceFibre on a national scale. The debut of this satellite broadband service took place during the India Mobile Congress on October 27.

According to Jio, their comprehensive suite of high-speed broadband services, both fixed line and wireless, currently serves a whopping 450 million users in India. Jio’s pursuit of digital inclusivity for every Indian household is further exemplified by the integration of JioSpaceFibre into their flagship broadband offerings, which include JioFiber and JioAirFiber.

Jio has revolutionized connectivity for both individuals and businesses by providing them unparalleled access to dependable, high-speed internet and entertainment services, irrespective of their geographical location. According to the company’s official statement, the newly introduced satellite-based network not only ensures low latency but also extends support for increased mobile backhaul capacity, thereby enriching the reach and magnitude of Jio True5G even in the most remote corners of the nation.

JioSpaceFiber has successfully established connections in far-flung areas such as Gir in Gujarat, Korba in Chhattisgarh, Nabarangpur in Odisha, and ONGC-Jorhat in Assam, bringing the benefits of advanced technology to these regions.

In a strategic collaboration with SES, Jio has harnessed the power of medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite technology. This MEO constellation boasts a unique capability to deliver high-speed, fiber-like services directly from space. By gaining access to both SES’s O3b and the cutting-edge O3b mPOWER satellites, Jio proudly stands as the exclusive provider of this groundbreaking technology. This positions Jio at the forefront, offering scalable and budget-friendly broadband coverage across the entire expanse of India.

In 2020, the worldwide market for satellite internet stood at $2.93 billion, and projections indicate a substantial growth to reach $18.59 billion by 2030, showcasing a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.4% during the span from 2021 to 2030, as outlined in a comprehensive report.

Fast forward to September 2022, Jio Infocomm secured the green light from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to provide Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services within India, marking a significant stride in expanding its offerings.

Adding to its arsenal, in February 2022, Mukesh Ambani’s enterprise unveiled a strategic collaboration to deliver satellite-based broadband services across the nation. This move thrusts them into competition with notable players like Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Sunil Mittal’s OneWeb, all vying to deliver reliable, high-speed internet access to a global audience. Reliance Jio Platforms had previously announced a collaboration with Luxembourg-based SES to bring satellite-based broadband services to the Indian landscape.

In October 2022, SpaceX, the visionary force behind Starlink, sought regulatory approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to roll out satellite-driven broadband services in India. With the introduction of its satellite services, Jio now finds itself in esteemed company alongside Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Bharti Enterprises’ OneWeb, both already illuminating the global broadband scene with their satellite prowess.

Satellites in orbit serve as the celestial messengers of high-speed internet, especially in remote areas where laying fiber-optic cables may not be feasible. Reliance, in tandem with SES, aspires to cast the net of internet accessibility far and wide, reaching even the most distant towns and cities across India through the magic of satellite broadband. The commercial spacetech market in India is poised to ascend to a substantial $77 billion by 2030. The stars seem aligned for a celestial revolution in connectivity.

Reliance Jio Infocomm has launched JioSpaceFibre, India’s first satellite-based giga-fibre service, aimed at providing fast and reliable internet connectivity to remote areas. The company plans to make JioSpaceFibre available nationwide at affordable rates. Through partnerships with SES, Jio gains access to medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite technology, offering scalable and affordable broadband coverage across India. Jio Infocomm has received approval to offer global mobile personal communication by satellite (GMPCS) services in India, joining the ranks of other satellite-based broadband providers like SpaceX and OneWeb. With the growing satellite internet market in India, Reliance aims to extend internet services to distant towns and cities through its satellite broadband offerings.