Jio Satellite Communications Limited (JSCL) has reportedly applied to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for a global mobile personal communications by satellite services (GMPCS) licence. With this, JSCL becomes the second telecom company after Bharti Airtel to enter into Indian satcom space.
JSCL was incorporated a couple of months ago, marking Jio’s formal entry into the segment.
As per industry sources, JSCL is likely to lease or resell satellite bandwidth capacity to offer cellular backhaul connectivity services to telcos in India’s rural or remote corners where mobile broadband connectivity is weak.
Further, JSCL may also offer satellite broadband service to potential customers in other industry verticals such as aviation and maritime.
In a recent submissions to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Jio had urged the regulator to recommend spectrum allocations via auctions alone for establishing and operating satellite gateways. Further, Jio has urged TRAI to make 28 GHz spectrum fully available for 5G services.
