Jio Platforms eyes low-orbit satellite rollout as Starlink awaits India launch

A man talks on his phone walks past a Jio store in Mumbai, India, 22 March, 2023. Reliance Jio rolls Out 5G Services in 41 More Cities, Network Now Live in 406 Cities in India according to an Indian media report.

India's largest telecom operator and digital services company, Jio Platforms, said Friday it is evaluating the rollout of low-orbit satellite communications in the country, an area that has drawn interest from leading global companies, such as Elon Musk's Starlink.

"Jio connected India on the ground. Now we must connect India from the skies," said Akash Ambani, the managing director of Jio Platforms and chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm.

Jio Platforms owns a 100% stake in India's largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio Infocom.

Ambani said the company is partnering with leading global "constellation providers" to lease satellite capacity as it looks for a quick roll-out of satellite connectivity. Jio is building its own "long-term sovereign capability," he added.

Jio will also build its own "ground station infrastructure" in India, which will support its partner constellations, as well as its own future satellites, the managing director said.

The news came as Jio Platforms filed draft papers for an initial public offering on Friday.