Satellite Operators Eye India's $2.3 Billion Market Boom: Global giants like Intelsat, Inmarsat, and SES are adding satellite capacity to tap into India's fast-growing satcom market, projected to reach $20 billion by 2028.

Global satellite operators are eyeing India's $2.3 billion satcom market, projected to grow to $20 billion by 2028. Companies like Intelsat, Inmarsat, and SES are adding satellite capacity and forming reselling partnerships with larger satcom operators to compete against Elon Musk's Starlink. Direct-to-cell communications services are expected to boost the market's growth.

Global satellite operators are increasingly eyeing India's rapidly growing satcom market, which is projected to reach $20 billion by 2028 [1]. Companies like Intelsat, Inmarsat, and SES are bolstering their satellite capacity and forming strategic reselling partnerships with larger satcom operators to challenge Elon Musk's Starlink [1]. The market is poised for significant growth, driven by direct-to-cell communications services and the need for reliable connectivity in underserved regions.

Tata Group's Nelco has recently partnered with Eutelsat to deliver OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity across India. This agreement aims to provide secure, low-latency LEO connectivity to customers, including government and enterprise applications [1]. The partnership reflects the growing demand for reliable, high-speed communication solutions in critical sectors across India.

The Indian government's approach to satellite communications is being shaped by competing imperatives of national security, geopolitical trade pressures, and sovereignty. While the market is open to private operators, regulatory hurdles remain a challenge. Starlink, for instance, faced delays in securing regulatory approvals due to data localization and foreign ownership restrictions [2].

Despite these challenges, Starlink's entry into the Indian market gained momentum following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February 2025. The company secured a GMPCS license and IN-SPACe authorization, facilitating its operations in the country [2]. However, its dominance in the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) segments is not guaranteed, with other operators like OneWeb focusing on B2B services and Jio catering to both B2B and B2C markets.

The global satellite market is becoming increasingly competitive, with operators vying for market share and regulatory approvals. The integration of satellite and terrestrial networks is expected to drive market growth, particularly in underserved regions where terrestrial networks have limited reach.

References:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/tata-nelco-eutelsat-oneweb-leo-satellite-connectivity-india-125081101725_1.html
[2] https://www.internetgovernance.org/2025/08/11/indias-satellite-communications-policy-balancing-competition-connectivity-and-control/