SES Awaits Regulatory Nod to Launch Jio-Backed Satellite Broadband Services in India

SES Awaits Regulatory Nod to Launch Jio-Backed Satellite Broadband Services in India

Final regulatory clearance awaited as SES and Reliance Jio prepare to bring high-speed satellite broadband to remote areas across India.

Highlights

O3b mPOWER satellites will enable enterprise and 5G backhaul connectivity.

SES has already deployed ground infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh.

Jio combines LEO, MEO, and GEO strategies to expand internet access in rural India.

Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES is awaiting final security approvals from the Indian government to commercially launch its satellite-based broadband services in partnership with Reliance Jio. Through its medium Earth orbit (MEO) communications system O3b mPOWER, SES plans to deliver enterprise-grade connectivity and 5G backhaul to remote and underserved regions across India. The new O3b mPOWER satellites will power Jio’s satellite broadband services for enterprises in the country.

SES and Jio Await Final Green Light

“The final security clearances are being sorted out. In my opinion, we are ready to go. We are already conducting proof-of-concepts (PoCs) but are not yet permitted to carry commercial traffic. We expect to launch within the year,” said Harsh Verma, Head of Asia Pacific, Fixed and Maritime at SES, in an interview with ETSatcom. Verma noted that SES has completed the necessary ground infrastructure deployment and other operational requirements over the past two years.

Last week, SES launched two more satellites—O3b mPOWER 9 and 10—aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. These new assets will significantly boost the capacity and performance of SES’s global network, further strengthening its service offerings for Jio in India.

Boosting 5G Backhaul with O3b mPOWER

“For 5G backhaul services, which are at the core of Jio’s network expansion plans, they are relying on the O3b mPOWER system along with our geostationary satellite SES-12,” Verma said.

Formed in 2022, the SES-Jio joint venture—Jio Space Technology Limited—has already delivered geostationary capacity through SES-12 and built satellite gateways in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, in line with Department of Telecommunications (DoT) security regulations.

Unlike Elon Musk’s Starlink, which focuses on consumer-grade low-earth orbit (LEO) broadband, SES positions itself as a provider of enterprise- and carrier-grade connectivity with predictable latency, guaranteed throughput, and service-level agreements (SLAs). “We also bring flexibility to our systems and ensure greater sovereignty,” SES said.

Expanding India’s Satellite Broadband Network

“We have a strategic partnership with Reliance Jio. We’re already delivering geostationary capacity via SES-12 while preparing to roll out O3b mPOWER. Once final approvals are secured, we expect to launch 5G satellite services with Jio in India very soon—hopefully by year-end,” Verma added.

In 2024, SES reported revenues of EUR 3.7 billion (approximately USD 4 billion) and aims to launch three more satellites over the next year to further expand its global network capacity.

Conclusion

With final regulatory approvals expected soon, SES and Jio are poised to accelerate India’s digital transformation by bridging connectivity gaps in rural and remote regions. By combining cutting-edge satellite technology with robust ground infrastructure, the partnership aims to strengthen enterprise networks, support 5G rollout, and help deliver on India’s vision of universal high-speed internet access.