Reliance Jio has announced its foray into satellite-based internet with a joint venture with SES — a Luxembourg based satellite content connectivity solutions provider, under the name of Jio Space Technology Limited.
![Reuters]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"72","h":"40","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AATOFEM.img?h=400&w=725&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=484&y=214"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"34","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AATOFEM.img?h=345&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=484&y=214"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"34","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AATOFEM.img?h=345&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=484&y=214"}})
The company intends to leverage satellite technology to offer scalable and affordable broadband to more parts of India. Jio and SES will own 51 percent and 49 percent equity stake in Jio Space Technology Limited.
They intend to make use of multi-orbit space networks — a combination of geostationary and medium earth orbit satellite constellations that are capable of offering multi-gigabit links, while also sporting the capacity to power enterprises and retail customers across India.
The venture will primarily be focused on providing its services to Indian customers alongside a few international aeronautical and maritime clientele who will be offered services by SES.
The infrastructure will be capable of offering up to 100 Gbps capacity from SES. Jio has entered into a $100 million multi-year capacity purchase agreement which also includes gateways and equipment purchases.
The joint venture will make use of SES-12 — the company’s high-throughput GEO satellite that’s currently serving India as well as W3b mPOWER, SES’s next-gen MEO constellation to help widen Jio’s terrestrial network.
