In a significant development, OneWeb India, a subsidiary of Eutelsat Group and part of the Bharti Group, has received approval from India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, to initiate commercial satellite broadband services in the country.
This approval positions OneWeb India as the first organization authorized for such services, making it the sole satellite broadband services provider to secure all necessary regulatory approvals before the commercial launch.
Bharti Group Chairman and Vice-President (Co-Chair) of the board of directors of Eutelsat Group, Sunil Bharti Mittal, expressed satisfaction, stating, “We are pleased to note the Indian space regulator’s green light to launch Eutelsat OneWeb’s commercial satellite broadband services in India.” He emphasized that this approval aligns with India’s goal of providing internet connectivity for all, supporting the vision of Digital India.
OneWeb India has also received in-principle approval for establishing and operating two gateways in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. This crucial step enables the provision of high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity across India once the services are rolled out.
The commencement of commercial services is pending the government’s allocation of satellite spectrum, a decision contingent on recommendations from the telecom regulator regarding auctions. Eutelsat OneWeb, renowned for its low earth orbit satellite operations, is poised to strengthen its presence in the Indian market with these recent approvals.
Cyril Dujardin, Co-General Manager of Connectivity at Eutelsat Group, highlighted the collaborative effort required to bridge global connectivity gaps. He recognized the regulatory approval as a pivotal step toward delivering high-speed internet services to remote areas of India, underscoring the company’s readiness to serve Indian businesses with essential connectivity solutions.
The government’s final spectrum authorization will determine the timeline for the commercial launch of Eutelsat OneWeb’s satellite broadband services in India.
