Close Menu

    Get the latest news around the globe

    Editor's Pick

    UK announces tougher penalties for environmental violations

    MRI scanning could reduce prostate cancer deaths; Study

    Juan Fernández fur seal has resilience against environmental pollution; Study

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Instagram
    Britain HeraldBritain Herald
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • World Roundup
    • Business
    • Tech World
    • Entertainment & Events
    • Curious
    • More…
      • Spotlight
      • Knowledge
      • Lifestyle
      • Awareness
      • Women World
      • Sports
      • Travel
      • Notable
      • Contact Us
    Britain HeraldBritain Herald
    Home » Musk vs Ambani: Battle heats up over India’s Satellite Broadband
    Tech World

    Musk vs Ambani: Battle heats up over India’s Satellite Broadband

    The Indian government announced that satellite spectrum for broadband services would be allocated administratively rather than through auctions.
    News DeskBy News DeskOctober 23, 2024
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
    Billionaires battle over India's satellite broadband_Image Via_X_Reliance
    Image Via: X@Elon Musk & Reliance Industries Limited | Cropped & Edited by BH

    New Delhi: The competition between two of the world’s wealthiest individuals, Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani, is intensifying as they gear up to compete in India’s satellite broadband market.

    The stakes rose further after the Indian government announced last week that satellite spectrum for broadband services would be allocated administratively rather than through auctions. Musk had previously criticized the auction model, which was backed by Ambani.

    Satellite broadband, which delivers internet access within the satellite’s coverage area, is particularly valuable for remote or rural regions where traditional services like DSL (which relies on telephone lines) or cable are unavailable. This technology plays a crucial role in closing the digital divide in hard-to-reach areas.

    While India’s telecom regulator has yet to set the pricing for satellite spectrum and commercial services are not yet available, industry forecasts by credit rating agency ICRA suggest that satellite internet subscribers in India could reach two million by 2025.

    The market is competitive, with around six major players, led by Ambani’s Reliance Jio. After spending billions in airwave auctions to dominate India’s telecom sector, Jio has now teamed up with SES Astra, a prominent satellite operator from Luxembourg.

    The battle between Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani in India’s satellite broadband market is a clash of two billionaires with significant ambitions in space and telecommunications.

    Starlink

    Starlink, Musk’s satellite broadband venture through SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed internet across remote and underserved areas globally, including India.

    Starlink uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, promising faster internet speeds and lower latency compared to traditional broadband services.

    Mr Musk’s Starlink has 6,419 satellites in orbit and four million subscribers across 100 countries. He has been aiming to launch services in India since 2021, tapping into the country’s vast population and rural regions that are currently under-connected.

    Jio Satellite

    Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has announced plans to enter the satellite internet space in partnership with Luxembourg-based SES.

    The Jio Satellite Communications aims to offer affordable satellite-based broadband to Indian consumers, including in remote and rural areas.

    Jio’s extensive telecom infrastructure, brand recognition, and customer base in India give Ambani a strong foothold, as the company is already the market leader in mobile networks and fibre broadband.

    Billionaires battle over India's satellite broadband_Image Via_Starlink
    Image Via: Starlink | Cropped by BH

    Competition & Strategy

    Starlink already has regulatory approvals in place for its India operations but faced hurdles due to licensing issues and government scrutiny over foreign satellite services.

    Jio is leveraging its local dominance and regulatory ease to develop partnerships and provide competitive pricing.

    Both companies are racing to offer affordable satellite internet to a largely untapped market in India, which has over 700 million internet users but still many underserved regions.

    Key Challenges

    Regulatory hurdles: The Indian government has strict regulations for foreign companies operating in the country’s satellite and telecom sector, which could affect Starlink’s operations.

    Cost and accessibility: Both companies need to keep prices competitive to win over the vast majority of users in a cost-sensitive market like India.

    Technology and infrastructure: The success of satellite broadband in India depends on overcoming technological challenges, like ensuring a seamless connection in remote areas and scaling up infrastructure.

    The rivalry represents a broader trend where tech giants are looking to dominate the space-based internet sector, with India being a critical battleground due to its population and growing demand for internet connectivity.

    ALSO READ | STAGE: India’s Netflix for villages; Empowering Rural Cinema

    STAR OF SECTOR 2025
    Credit rating agency Digital Divide Elon Musk India Internet Access Jio Satellite Communications Low-Earth orbit Mukesh Ambani Reliance Jio Rural Areas Satellite Broadband Satellite spectrum SES Astra Starlink
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
    Avatar
    News Desk

    The news/article published above has been sourced, compiled, and corroborated by a member of the Britain Herald News Desk Team. If you have any queries or complaints about the published material, please get in touch with us at BritainHerald@Gmail.Com

    Newly Updated

    Texas Governor signs new Online Child Safety Bill sparking debate

    May 28, 2025

    Global heat record likely by 2029; WMO warns of rising climate risks

    May 28, 2025

    SpaceX Starship breaks up over Indian Ocean after losing control

    May 28, 2025
    STAR OF SECTOR 2025

    Business

    Volvo cars to cut 3,000 jobs in major restructuring effort

    Business May 27, 2025

    Sweden: Volvo Cars has announced strategies to cut approximately 3,000 jobs, primarily targeting office-based roles…

    Trump demands US-made iPhones; Warns of 25% tariff

    May 24, 2025

    Nike to raise prices on select items citing seasonal planning

    May 22, 2025

    CATL shares jump after Hong Kong stock market debut

    May 20, 2025
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Curious

    Massive ice calving at Perito Moreno Glacier sparks concern

    May 16, 2025

    Glowing Spiral appears in night sky; Linked to SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

    March 25, 2025

    Once dubbed ‘Ugliest’; Blobfish triumphs as NZ ‘Fish of the Year’

    March 19, 2025

    Giant Iceberg A23a runs aground near South Georgia; Easing wildlife fears

    March 5, 2025

    Get the latest news around the globe

    Knowledge

    Clownfish shrinks to survive marine heatwaves, study reveals

    Knowledge May 22, 2025

    England: Clownfish, famously known from the film Finding Nemo, are shrinking in size to survive…

    Kashmir conflict: History of disputes, wars, and unresolved tensions

    May 9, 2025

    Snakebite survivor’s blood sparks universal antivenom discovery

    May 3, 2025

    ESA’s Biomass satellite set for launch to map forest carbon

    April 29, 2025
    18-EA-387-TryEngineeringSummerInst_BannerAd_300x250_Robot
    About Us
    About Us

    Britain Herald is a global news brand that plays a significant role in educating and informing the masses with informative content, the latest updates, and current affairs across the World.

    Operated and Managed by WellMade Network, the portal is a sister concern of GCC Business News and Emirati Times. For inquiries about Media Partnerships, Investment and other opportunities in line with our Editorial Policy, please contact us at;

    Email Us: News@BritainHerald.com
    Whatsapp: +971 5060 12456

    We Have

    Texas Governor signs new Online Child Safety Bill sparking debate

    May 28, 2025

    Global heat record likely by 2029; WMO warns of rising climate risks

    May 28, 2025

    SpaceX Starship breaks up over Indian Ocean after losing control

    May 28, 2025

    Canadian jailed for stealing iconic ‘The Roaring Lion’ photo

    May 27, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Instagram
    • Home
    • Business
    • Tech World
    • Awareness
    • Contact Us
    Privacy & Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions
    © 2002 BritainHerald.com, An Initiative by WellMade Network

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.