Amazon plans to offer broadband-from-space services in India

Amazon has reportedly sought approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre to offer broadband-from-space services in the country. The US-based e-commerce giant becomes the latest entrant in India’s nascent but fast-growing satellite communications market and takes on the likes of Elon Musk-owned Starlink, Bharti-backed Oneweb and Reliance Industries' Jio Satellite in India.   

Additionally, Amazon is expected to apply to the Department of Telecommunications for a global mobile personal communication by satellite license as well. According to a report, both Jio Satellite and OneWeb have successfully obtained the GMPCS license.  

Elon Musk’s Starlink’s application is set to be reviewed soon. Upon the completion of these processes, the Seattle-based tech giant is anticipated to offer multiple services to users in India as part of its broadband from space program. These services will include broadband plans ranging from 1 megabit per second to 1 gigabit per second. 

Notably, operations of this nature have become possible after the Indian government, in accordance with India’s Space Policy 2023, allowed private low-earth orbit (LEO) and medium-earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellation operators to begin offering broadband from space services to users. 

It has been reported earlier that two prototype satellites were launched as part of Amazon Project Kuiper. Amazon also plans to launch 3,236 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and begin operations in 2024.