According to the chief executive officer of Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi), the telecom operator is assessing a potential entry into commercial 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) services, which would allow it to expand into the home broadband and small office/home office (SOHO) segments. Vi’s next-generation 5G services are currently live in 43 cities.
He added that the telco is in the process of securing the required regulatory approvals to roll out a non-terrestrial network (NTN)-based communication service in partnership with US-based AST SpaceMobile.
However, Vi expects that a commercial satellite communications service launch is likely only after 1.5-2 years. The company’s satcom offering will focus on providing space-based broadband directly to standard smartphones and handsets to enable large-scale adoption. Further, AST SpaceMobile has also said that it remains on track to deploy 45-60 satellites by the end of 2026, with launches planned at intervals of one to two months.
At present, the government is holding consultations to finalise the terms and conditions for satellite spectrum allocation, along with the associated pricing modalities.
