Mukesh Ambani Secures Major Victory in Satellite Internet Race Against Elon Musk

Mukesh Ambani has secured a significant win in the competition against Elon Musk for satellite internet dominance. India’s space regulator has granted approval for a satellite internet service run by Orbit Connect India, a joint venture between Ambani’s Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms and Luxembourg-based SES. Musk’s perceived snub of the Indian PM by canceling a visit to India in late April in favor of a trip to Beijing likely did not help his cause.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) issued three approvals to Orbit Connect India in April and June, according to a government executive. These authorizations, which have not been previously reported, permit Orbit Connect to operate satellites over India. However, additional approvals from the Department of Telecommunications are required before the service can begin offering high-speed satellite internet access.

This development marks another victory for Ambani, who has an estimated net worth of $114.4 billion. He has been competing against high-profile rivals such as Jeff Bezos’ Amazon.com and Musk’s Starlink, both of which have sought approval to launch satellite communication services in India.

Meanwhile, another company, Inmarsat, has also received approval to operate satellites over India, as confirmed by IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka. Alongside Inmarsat, Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper have also applied for approvals, while Eutelsat’s Bharti Enterprises-backed OneWeb received authorization late last year.

India’s satellite broadband service market is projected to grow by 36% annually over the next five years, reaching $1.9 billion by 2030, according to Deloitte. The global race to provide space-based internet to rural areas is intensifying, with Amazon planning a $10 billion investment in Kuiper, following SpaceX’s deployment of Starlink satellites in 2019.

IN-SPACe also plans to authorize private companies to operate ground stations in India, enabling satellite operators to download data as satellites pass overhead. The Modi government, which recently secured a rare third term, is pushing for the development of India’s space industry. This year, the government opened the sector to foreign direct investment, allowing outside companies to invest up to 100% in the manufacture of satellite components and systems without prior approval.

As a result, investor interest has surged. Goenka noted that last year’s investments in private space companies ranged from $2 million to $7 million, but this year, the figures are between $20 million and $30 million, indicating significant growth and confidence in the sector.

Overall, Ambani’s success in securing satellite internet service approvals positions him strongly in the burgeoning Indian market, potentially reshaping the landscape of internet connectivity in the region.

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