Jio Satellite and OneWeb receive internet services licence

Jio Satellite Communications and Bharti Group-backed OneWeb have been granted internet service provider licence by the Department of Telecom, as per media report. Both the companies got the permit to provide satellite communication services about a year ago.

"The companies were issued an ISP (Internet Service Provider) licence recently. They can provide internet services connecting satellite service with terrestrial networks or through VSAT to end customers," an official said.

Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb will need access to spectrum to provide services directly on the consumer terminal on which the decision is still pending.

The satellite companies are asking for spectrum allocation without auction whereas Jio and Vodafone Idea are pushing for spectrum allocation only through auction.

OneWeb has its constellation of GEO (geostationary) and LEO (low earth orbit) satellites whereas Jio has partnered with Luxembourg SES Satellites, which has a combination of GEO and MEO (medium earth orbit) satellites in its constellation.

Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal had said at the India Mobile Congress last month that OneWeb Satellite communication service is ready to connect all parts of the country from the next month.

During the event, Reliance Jio had demonstrated satellite-based giga fibre service to provide high speed broadband services to previously inaccessible geographies in the country and claimed that the service will be available across the length and breadth of the country at highly affordable prices.