Reliance Jio has proposed deploying approximately 1,600 low Earth orbit satellites and establishing 23 ground stations across India to extend internet connectivity to remote villages, islands, and border areas. The proposal was presented at the India Mobile Congress 2026 in New Delhi, aiming to address connectivity gaps in underserved regions, according to medianama.com.
The proposal comes amid a public dispute involving Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani over Starlink’s regulatory delays in India. Musk criticized unnamed business interests and questioned Ambani’s influence, tweeting that Starlink’s licensing was being blocked to maintain monopolistic control. The Indian government stated that it follows a fair and non-discriminatory authorization process for telecom services, including satellite communications, and noted that Jio Satellite Communications, Starlink, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb are at similar regulatory stages, per medianama.com.
This satellite network plan by Jio is part of a broader effort to improve internet access in hard-to-reach areas, competing with other satellite internet providers like Starlink and OneWeb. Starlink, licensed in over 165 countries, has faced regulatory hurdles in India despite complying with government requirements for five years. Jio’s initiative could significantly impact the satellite internet market in India, which is currently navigating complex regulatory and competitive dynamics, as reported by medianama.com.
The government’s security assessments for all satellite communication providers, including Jio, Starlink, and Eutelsat OneWeb, remain ongoing. The next regulatory decisions will determine when these networks can begin commercial operations in India, shaping the future of satellite-based internet connectivity in the country, according to medianama.com.