Satcom Future: Pivotal role in bridging the connectivity gap

India’s digital landscape is expanding rapidly. This growth is being driven by sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare and e-governance, and essential industries such as agriculture and fisheries. Despite significant progress, 4 per cent of India’s rural population still lacks connectivity, underscoring the urgent need for scalable and efficient solutions.

Satellite communications (satcom), particularly through low earth orbit (LEO) constellations, is emerging as a critical enabler in bridging this connectivity gap. With the satcom sector projected to grow to $14.8 billion by 2033, India is poised to benefit significantly from this technology, especially in remote and underserved areas.

Widespread coverage

Eutelsat OneWeb, a global satcom company backed by Bharti Enterprises as the largest shareholder and supported by the UK and French governments, is playing a key role in advancing India’s satcom infrastructure. As the first non-geostationary satellite operator in the country to be allotted provisional spectrum by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, India’s interface between the ISRO and the private sector for space-related programmes, Eutelsat OneWeb is well positioned to help bridge the digital divide and support India’s growing digital economy.

Rising demand for connectivity

While terrestrial networks are growing, they continue to face limitations in remote and underserved areas. Eutelsat OneWeb’s geostationary earth orbit-LEO networks offer a promising solution. The benefits of satellite technology include:

• Providing connectivity in remote and rural areas.
• LEO satellites offer significantly lower latency, enhancing the quality of services.

Government policies and digital initiatives

The Indian government recognises space and satellite communications as a key driver for the country’s digital future. The Indian Space Policy, 2023 is designed to unlock more opportunities for the private sector, encourage international collaborations and accelerate the development of satellite technologies. This forward-thinking policy sets the stage for the expanded role of satcom in the nation’s growth.

Eutelsat OneWeb plays a vital role in advancing this vision. The company’s successful collaboration with ISRO for its satellite launches is a crucial step in expanding satellite connectivity. Eutelsat OneWeb has also made multimillion-dollar investments in local infrastructure with a focus on building a robust satcom ecosystem, including the development of critical ground infrastructure such as satellite network portals and points of presence.

Furthermore, Eutelsat OneWeb is a founding member of the ISpA, which was launched by the honourable prime minister. ISpA is a pivotal platform for promoting collaboration between government and private sector entities to strengthen India’s space capabilities and foster satcom innovations.

Technological innovations driving satellite communications

Advancements in satellite technology have significantly improved the speed, reliability and performance of satellite networks. High-throughput satellites (HTS) and LEO constellations have revolutionised the industry by offering higher bandwidth, faster speeds and lower latency. Eutelsat’s KVHTS satellite is a prime example of these advancements, delivering superior data transfer capabilities to meet the growing demand for digital services.

LEO constellations such as OneWeb go even further, reducing latency and providing ubiquitous coverage over large geographical areas, making them ideal for regions with limited or no access to terrestrial networks. With its constellation of satellites, Eutelsat OneWeb is enabling connectivity in areas where traditional infrastructure struggles to reach.

Eutelsat OneWeb’s role in advancing connectivity in India

Through its global LEO constellation, Eutelsat OneWeb is positioned to play a pivotal role in improving connectivity across India. The company has already conducted multiple successful trials with the Indian army, navy and air force, showcasing its ability to deliver secure, reliable communications even in the most challenging environments.

With the ability to provide secure, enterprise-grade business-to-business connectivity, Eutelsat OneWeb can help bridge the digital divide by offering services across multiple sectors, including mobility solutions, cellular backhaul, government and defence applications, and enterprise and industry solutions.

Conclusion

As India continues to grow digitally, reliable connectivity is crucial for supporting its expanding economy and bridging the digital divide. Eutelsat OneWeb is playing a key role in advancing satellite connectivity across the country. With its successful satellite launches, significant investments in local infrastructure and strong partnerships, Eutelsat OneWeb is helping bring high speed internet to even the most remote areas of the country. Going forward, the company is poised to be a major contributor to the country’s satcom landscape, ensuring that more people can access the benefits of connectivity and participate in the digital economy.