ET Exclusive: Reliance Jio eyes September 2027 test flight for 1,600-satellite LEO network

New Delhi: Reliance Jio is aiming for a check flight in September subsequent yr for the low earth orbit (LEO) satellite tv for pc constellation it’s planning, stated individuals conscious of the matter. As a part of the check flight, the corporate will ship a number of satellites into area to test {hardware}, software program and functioning of different applied sciences earlier than mass deployment begins in early 2028.

Jio plans a 1,600-strong LEO community for its satcom enterprise. “The Jio software has been filed with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for securing orbit slots. It’s seeking to deploy 400-450 satellites by 2030 and full the constellation by 2035,” stated one of many individuals.

Additionally learn: Reliance Jio’s 1,600-LEO satellite plan gets IN-SPACe technical nod, moves closer to India’s first homegrown constellation

Jio plans a 1,600-strong LEO community for its satcom enterprise.

The ITU software contains technical particulars of the constellation.

Constellation’s doubtless capability as much as 150 Gbps

It follows approval for Jio’s plan by the Indian Nationwide House Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the regulator.
ITU, the UN company for digital applied sciences, coordinates orbital slots and radio frequencies for satcom firms globally. “Round 90-100 minimal protection satellites are deliberate to be despatched in two-three quarters after the check launch, which implies India can begin getting satellite tv for pc connectivity in 2028,” stated a second particular person.

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Reliance Jio didn’t reply to queries on the check and the ITU submitting.

Whereas the corporate is seeking to supply connectivity throughout the globe, it would focus on India to start out with. “The main focus of the corporate is to ship high-speed broadband to underserved areas utilizing excessive throughput satellites (HTS),” stated the primary particular person cited.

Jio’s constellation is more likely to supply a capability of 100-150 gigabits per second (Gbps) throughput per satellite tv for pc. When deployment is full, 30-32 satellites will probably be in orbit over India and supply a capability of 4-4.8 terabits per second (Tbps), the best proposed up to now among the many LEO constellations deliberate for the nation. Starlink has approval for delivering 600 Gbps whereas Amazon Leo has utilized for 3 Tbps over India.

Additionally learn: Reliance Jio eyes India’s own satellite broadband network

The Jio satellites will probably be positioned at an altitude of 650 km in area, barely larger than these of Starlink and Amazon Leo. The corporate selected this as there was no main present or deliberate LEO constellation in orbit at this altitude.

“From 640-700 km was a transparent window as no main identified constellation is there within the section, so getting the orbital slots isn’t a problem as there received’t be interference issues,” stated an official monitoring the satcom sector.

ET had earlier reported on Jio’s proposal to supply mounted satellite tv for pc companies equivalent to broadband, mobile backhaul in addition to cellular satellite tv for pc companies like direct to system. The corporate plans to arrange 20-22 floor stations.

The ITU submitting paves the best way for India to arrange its first native sovereign LEO constellation, key to nationwide safety and strategic defence necessities. The LEO section is dominated by Elon Musk-owned Starlink with over 10,000 satellites. However geopolitical conflicts are prompting nations to scale back dependence on abroad satellite tv for pc firms.

Whereas approving the Jio proposal, the area regulator highlighted to the federal government the deserves of a sovereign constellation, together with assembly strategic defence necessities and lowering dependence on abroad firms. The regulator is of the view that regulatory and different coverage help needs to be supplied to home firms equivalent to Jio, in order that India can get its first homegrown, non-geostationary (NGSO) constellation.

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