Nelco and Eutelsat Partner for LEO Satellite Connectivity Services Across India

Nelco Limited, a Tata Group company, has partnered with Eutelsat to deliver OneWeb low Earth orbit satellite connectivity services across India. The partnership will provide secure, low-latency connectivity for customers on land, sea, and air, and will strengthen India's digital infrastructure and national security. Nelco plans to offer these services as soon as OneWeb LEO services become commercially operational in India.

Nelco Limited, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, has announced a strategic partnership with Eutelsat to deliver OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services across India. The collaboration aims to provide secure, low-latency connectivity for customers across land, sea, and air, thereby bolstering India's digital infrastructure and national security.

The partnership will leverage OneWeb's LEO satellite technology, which is expected to revolutionize connectivity in remote and underserved areas. According to Gartner, Inc., the global market for LEO satellite communications services is poised for significant growth, with end-user spending projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2026, a 24.5% increase from 2025 [1].

Nelco plans to offer these services as soon as OneWeb's LEO services become commercially operational in India. This initiative is particularly timely given the growing demand for reliable and high-speed connectivity, especially in rural and remote regions where traditional networks may be limited or non-existent.

The use of LEO satellites for broadband connectivity has the potential to support a wide range of applications, including fixed and mobile broadband services, global IoT connectivity, and infrastructure backhaul. For instance, LEO-connected drones are being used in Australia to deliver 4G/5G mobile connectivity during natural disasters, while U.S. airlines are starting to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi using LEO satellite communications services [1].

Additionally, LEO satellites can provide critical backhaul for government agencies and defense organizations, ensuring secure and reliable communication links in remote or hostile environments. This is particularly relevant for India, where maintaining robust communication networks in diverse geographical conditions is essential for national security and operational efficiency.

Despite the promising potential, the industry still faces challenges such as regulatory barriers, capacity constraints, and interoperability issues. However, the collaboration between Nelco and Eutelsat is a significant step towards overcoming these obstacles and bringing the benefits of LEO satellite technology to a broader audience in India.

References:

[1] https://techsauce.co/en/pr-news/gartner-leo-satellite-market-forecast-2026-en