Reliance Jio’s 1,650-Satellite LEO Plan Moves to IN-SPACe Review

Reliance Jio has reportedly submitted a proposal to IN-SPACe for a 1,600–1,650 satellite LEO constellation at ~650 km altitude, a potential $10–15 billion bet that could reshape India’s satellite broadband landscape ahead of the Jio Platforms IPO.

Key Takeaways

• Reliance Jio has reportedly submitted a proposal to IN-SPACe for a 1,600–1,650 satellite LEO network at ~650 km altitude
• The constellation may be deployable within 2–3 years; capex estimated at $10–15 billion (₹95,000–1,41,500 crore) by industry experts
• This would be the first Indian private-sector entry into the LEO segment at scale, after Starlink and Amazon Leo
• The government is reportedly expected to support Jio’s ITU orbital slot filings as a strategic domestic entrant
• Jio Platforms is widely expected to move toward one of India’s biggest IPOs, with reports pointing to a possible $4 billion issue, the satellite plan adds long-term growth narrative

India’s Biggest Private Space Bet Moves to IN-SPACe Review

According to a report by The Economic Times, Reliance Jio is planning to develop and launch its own low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation of 1,600–1,650 satellites at an altitude of approximately 650 kilometres, targeting a rollout within the next two to three years.

The proposed network would offer broadband and direct-to-device connectivity services.

The company has submitted a formal proposal to India’s space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), which is currently evaluating the proposed configuration and technical architecture.

Reliance Jio and IN-SPACe did not respond to ET’s queries before publication, so the tone here remains reported and proposed, not confirmed.

This is the first time an Indian private entity has sought to enter the LEO segment at this scale. For market readers, this is simultaneously a satellite story, a Jio IPO story, a capex story, and a long-duration digital infrastructure story.

Why Jio Is Moving Into LEO — and Why Now

Satellite broadband is becoming a strategic national priority globally. LEO satellites orbit at 500–1,200 km altitude and deliver internet latency of just 20–40 milliseconds, comparable to fixed broadband and far superior to traditional geostationary satellites.

That low-latency advantage makes LEO the backbone of next-generation connectivity for rural broadband, enterprise, aviation, maritime, and direct-to-device use cases.

India’s scale makes this compelling. The country has crossed 1 billion internet subscribers, but vast rural and remote geographies remain poorly connected. Terrestrial 5G and fibre have limits; LEO satellites do not.

Beyond economics, the strategic calculus is stark. China has already filed for placement of over 200,000 satellites across multiple LEO constellations at the ITU.

Heightened national security concerns around foreign satcom players have increased government urgency to back a domestic LEO player.

IN-SPACe itself has separately evaluated the feasibility of a domestic non-geostationary orbit constellation for communication, surveillance, and infrastructure resilience.

Government Is Reportedly Expected to Back Jio’s ITU Filings

An official speaking on condition of anonymity to Economic Times confirmed that the government is reportedly expected to support Jio’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) filings for securing orbital slots, as an Indian entity enters this strategic sector.

The same support would be extended to any other Indian company that seeks to enter the LEO segment.

Securing ITU orbital slots is a non-negotiable prerequisite — without international frequency and orbit coordination, no constellation can legally operate.

Reliance has already reportedly begun engaging with the Department of Telecommunications to facilitate the ITU filing process.

Six dedicated internal teams have been formed covering satellites, launches, payloads, and user terminals, with meetings happening with satellite technology firms at pace over recent months.

Inorganic options, including acquiring a satellite company that already holds orbital slots and infrastructure, are also reportedly on the table.

How Jio’s Proposed Network Compares Globally

Source: Company disclosures, Economic Times reporting. Data as of June 2026.

Jio already has a satellite broadband presence through JioSpaceFiber, built around its partnership with Luxembourg-based SES, which operates satellites in medium Earth orbit and geostationary orbit.

The new LEO constellation is categorically different, owned infrastructure, closer altitude, lower latency, and direct competition with Starlink and Amazon Leo.

The Capex Picture: $10–15 Billion at Stake

Industry experts cited in the Economic Times report estimate that a constellation of this scale could require investment of around $10–15 billion, or approximately ₹95,000 crore to ₹1,41,500 crore at current exchange rates.

The network could potentially generate several terabits of connectivity capacity, depending on satellite technology deployed.

That is a large commitment even by Jio’s standards, but the company has the operating base to absorb it over time.

Jio Platforms: Operating Scale as of Q4 FY26

Source: Reliance Industries FY26 official release; TRAI Telecom Subscription Data, April 2026; PIB.

This operating scale gives Jio a strong platform from which to monetise additional connectivity layers.

If the LEO satellite network scales as planned, it could complement JioFiber, JioAirFiber, enterprise connectivity and rural broadband services as another revenue vertical.

Regulatory Milestones Investors Must Track

Building a satellite constellation requires multiple clearances. For Jio, the near-term triggers that investors should watch closely are:

TRAI has already released recommendations on satellite-based commercial communication services, covering spectrum assignment for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) fixed and mobile satellite services across Ku, Ka, and Q/V bands. How these rules evolve will shape Jio’s business model significantly.

The Jio IPO Connection — Why Timing Matters

The satellite announcement arrives at a critical juncture for Reliance. Jio Platforms is widely expected to move toward one of India’s largest-ever IPOs, with reports pointing to a possible $4 billion fresh issue.

Jio Platforms and NSE are both reportedly likely to file their Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI around the week of June 15. Mukesh Ambani is expected to address shareholders at Reliance Industries’ 49th AGM on June 19.

Elara Capital has valued Reliance Jio Infocomm at ₹12–13 lakh crore based on 13x FY28E EV/EBITDA.

Analysts note that a listing would allow investors to value Jio on a standalone basis using metrics such as subscriber base, ARPU, EBITDA and digital services growth, rather than through Reliance’s consolidated financials. A credible LEO satellite growth narrative only adds optionality to that story.

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What This Means for Reliance Investors

For Reliance Industries (NSE: RELIANCE) shareholders, the LEO constellation plan is a long-duration optionality, not a near-term earnings trigger.

Building and launching 1,650 satellites is a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar operation with significant technical, regulatory, and geopolitical dependencies.

Strategically, however, it strengthens Jio’s positioning as a full-stack digital infrastructure company. Mobile, 5G, fibre, fixed wireless, cloud, enterprise solutions, and now, potentially, LEO satellite.

India’s space economy is projected to reach $44 billion by 2033, rising from roughly 2% of the global total to around 8%, per IN-SPACe projections. A domestic LEO player at Jio’s scale would be positioned to capture a meaningful share of that.

The key risk is execution. Satellite constellations are technically complex and capital-intensive. Competition from Starlink and Amazon Leo is intense and already in the field.

Investors should track IN-SPACe progress, ITU filings, spectrum policy, and Jio IPO documents before assigning any earnings-based value to this plan.

Bottom Line

Reliance Jio’s reported 1,650-satellite LEO proposal to IN-SPACe could be India’s most ambitious private-sector space and telecom project ever attempted.

It fits a larger strategic theme, India wants stronger domestic control over critical connectivity infrastructure, and the government is reportedly prepared to back the right domestic entrant.

For Jio, satellite broadband could become another layer in a full-stack digital empire that already spans 524 million subscribers.

For investors, the next real signals will come from IN-SPACe’s evaluation outcome, ITU filings, satcom spectrum rules, and the Jio Platforms IPO documents. Until those milestones deliver, this is a long-term optionality story, one of the most credible India has seen.

Also Read: RIL AGM 2026 on June 19: Date, Time, Jio IPO and 4 Things Investors Should Watch

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All figures are sourced from company releases, TRAI, PIB, and published media reports. Please consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before making investment decisions.