Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries is exploring a major foray into satellite communications space, looking to invest billions in low earth orbit (LEO) satellites – a space that is currently dominated by Elon Musk’s Starlink. The move would position the Mukesh Ambani-led group in direct competition with global players such as Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.Sources told ET that Reliance aims to establish a significant presence in the satellite domain, especially in the low earth orbit (LEO) segment, which is seen as a high-growth area. The proposed satellite venture is expected to operate under Jio Platforms, the arm that oversees Reliance’s telecom and digital businesses.The plan aligns with the government’s broader objective of strengthening India’s capabilities in satellite communications, particularly in LEO systems, as reliance on foreign providers raises strategic and security concerns, especially given the increasing role of such technologies in conflict situations.Other players in the space include Eutelsat OneWeb, AST SpaceMobile and Sateliot. The Bharti Group, led by Sunil Mittal, is the second-largest shareholder in Eutelsat, which is majority-owned by the French government. Reliance Jio, meanwhile, has an existing partnership with medium earth orbit satellite operator SES. Discussions remain at an early stage, with no firm timelines yet on launch plans or investment commitments.
Reliance eyes satellite communications space
To drive the initiative, the company has set up six dedicated teams focusing on various components, including satellite development, launch systems, payloads and user equipment, people aware of the developments told the financial daily.The project is being led at the highest level within the group, with Mukesh Ambani closely involved, the report said. Meanwhile, global competition is intensifying, with countries like China filing proposals with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to deploy as many as 200,000 satellites across multiple LEO constellations. Other nations are also ramping up investments in this space to secure their strategic interests. According to sources, work on the project has accelerated in recent months, with ongoing discussions involving multiple satellite technology firms to support the development of the planned constellation.Reliance Industries has begun discussions with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to support the process of securing orbital slots through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is responsible for assigning satellite orbits and spectrum. While the initiative is being led by Mukesh Ambani, several senior executives are also closely involved, according to sources.Key figures working on the project include RIL president P.K. Bhatnagar, Jio Platforms CEO Mathew Oommen, and senior vice president Aayush Bhatnagar. The company did not respond to queries on the matter.People familiar with the developments said the group is also evaluating inorganic expansion options, including the possibility of acquiring an existing satellite firm that already holds orbital slots and related infrastructure. This approach is being considered as Jio looks to bridge the gap in a segment currently led by Starlink, with Amazon’s Project Kuiper also emerging as a strong competitor.According to one source, greater clarity is expected in the coming months as different strategic options are evaluated. The company could look to establish a low earth orbit satellite network within the next two to four years, either by building it internally or through acquisitions.Separately, the government and the space regulator Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) are understood to have reviewed the feasibility of developing a domestic non-geostationary satellite constellation during a meeting in January.Developing an indigenous satellite network is seen as critical for strengthening India’s digital independence, enhancing security and data protection, and supporting surveillance as well as safeguarding key infrastructure.
