Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Mittal ready to transform mobile calling in India, soon to launch…, big challenge for Elon Musk, here’s why

With both Airtel and Reliance Jio advocating for fair spectrum allocation and preparing for satellite-based connectivity, the Indian telecom industry may go through a major shift.

Written by: Anirudha Yerunkar Edited by: Anirudha Yerunkar

Published: February 12, 2025, 9:55 AM IST

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https://www.india.com/business/mukesh-ambani-sunil-mittal-ready-to-transform-mobile-calling-in-india-soon-to-launch-integrate-satellite-technology-big-challenge-for-elon-musk-heres-why-7609798/ Copy

Mobile communication in India may transform as two of the country’s telecom giants, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, prepare to integrate satellite technology into their services. This move, led by Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Mittal, will reduce the connectivity gaps, particularly in remote areas.

Satellite-based connectivity has gained significant attention in recent years. In the smartphone industry by Apple’s iPhone 14 in 2022, the technology allows users to send emergency SOS messages in areas lacking cellular networks. While brands like Google and Samsung have also adopted this feature, its availability remains limited to select devices and regions.

Airtel’s Satellite Plans Ready for Launch

According to media reports, Rajan Bharti Mittal, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, recently announced that Airtel’s satellite telecom service is ready for deployment in India. The company awaits final approval from the central government for spectrum allocation.

“In India, we are waiting for the spectrum allocation to be finalized. Both our stations, one in Gujarat and another in Tamil Nadu are ready. As soon as we get the necessary permissions, we will launch the service in India,” Mittal shared during an interview at the World Economic Forum.

Bharti Airtel has already deployed 635 satellites globally, offering services across various regions. As debates around spectrum allocation continue, Airtel has maintained that satellite companies should pay licensing fees and acquire spectrum through auctions, similar to traditional telecom operators.

Reliance Jio’s Stand On Satellite Telecom

Reliance Jio, led by Akash Ambani, has supported Airtel’s stand on spectrum allocation. Jio has called for satellite companies to participate in spectrum auctions and pay licensing fees to maintain parity with traditional telecom providers.

Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper are among the global players advocating for administrative allocation of spectrum for satellite services. However, the Indian telecom giants argue that such services should follow a structured and equitable spectrum allocation process.