Eutelsat OneWeb is seeking approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the deployment of its twin earth station gateways in India. These gateways will connect with its low-earth orbit (LEO) global satellite constellation to deliver broadband-from-space services to customers across South Asian countries, excluding Pakistan and China.
The company has conveyed to DoT that its initiative would position India as a global hub catering to the satcom needs of international customers in South Asia. Additionally, this move carries geopolitical significance, as it would enable India to establish itself as a satcom industry leader capable of providing critical services, such as satellite-based emergency alerts for disaster recovery and management efforts in South Asia, utilising Indian satellite infrastructure resources.
Eutelsat OneWeb has emphasised that prompt approval from DoT would align with the Indian Space Policy 2023, which advocates for Indian entities to extend satcom services beyond national borders.
Government approval for the deployment of its satellite infrastructure would enable Eutelsat OneWeb to offer a range of satcom services to global customers. These include satellite internet connectivity, inflight broadband services beyond Indian airspace, maritime connectivity for civil vessels in international waters, and disaster recovery support.
The company can also provide satellite-based backhaul connectivity to assist South Asian telecom operators in expanding wireless broadband coverage in remote areas where fibre networks or terrestrial backhaul links are insufficient. However, Eutelsat OneWeb will operate solely on a business-to-business (B2B) model in these markets, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Upon receiving DoT approval, the company intends to collaborate with international distribution partners and local telecom operators in targeted South and Southeast Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. These partners would be responsible for marketing and delivering a broad range of satcom services to overseas end-users utilising Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO satellite capacities.
