On this page
Mittal says Eutelsat OneWeb applied five years ago and is ahead of Starlink in India's satellite internet queue
Our read
OneWeb is more likely than not to be first to commercial service in India, but only after the spectrum pricing decision and security clearances come through.
For operators
Neither OneWeb nor Starlink has spectrum or permission for commercial services, so retailers should not plan satellite-based connectivity for stores or supply chains until the pricing decision and security clearances come through.
Watch
Spectrum pricing decision before Airtel's next quarterly results would mean OneWeb's three-year-ready network can launch ahead of Starlink, despite Jio's dispute.
The report,
Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said on Wednesday that OneWeb's ground network has been ready for three years, yet it still lacks permission to start commercial services. Neither it nor Starlink has spectrum, amid a dispute involving Reliance's Jio.
- OneWeb application filed
- five years back
- OneWeb ground network ready for
- three years
One email each morning: the day’s top moves in Indian retail, why each matters and what to watch. Free. Stop any time.
Reported figures
From the report. Source details below
| OneWeb application filed: | five years back |
|---|---|
| Jio Platforms IPO valuation: | about USD 106 billion |
| Jio Platforms IPO opening date: | October 21 |
| Jio customers reported: | 524 million |
| Proposed Jio satellite constellation: | about 1,600 |
| Villages targeted by Jio satellites: | 600,000 |
Why it matters to operators and investors
OneWeb's earlier application and ground network that has been ready for three years put it ahead of Starlink in the queue, but no permission exists yet, so any partnership or deal timing depends on the pending spectrum pricing decision.
What to watch next
- Security clearance status for OneWeb and Starlink
- Any official statement on queue order or allocation method
- Jio's filings or objections on satellite spectrum pricing
- Commercial launch or pricing announcements from OneWeb or Starlink in India
Likely next moves
Our read of what comes next — analysis, not reported by the source.
- Bharti Airtel is likely to keep arguing publicly that OneWeb's early application earns it priority in the satellite internet queue.
- Eutelsat OneWeb is likely to keep its ground network on standby, ready to launch quickly once spectrum and permissions arrive.
- Starlink may press the government for a quick spectrum pricing decision and challenge any queue-order argument.
- Reliance's Jio is likely to keep contesting how satellite spectrum is priced and allocated, which slows the decision.
- The government is likely to settle security clearances before it announces spectrum pricing, so approvals come in stages.
The source
Published
First seen