NTN satellite connectivity to disrupt India's telecom ecosystem

NTN satellite systems are poised to redefine connectivity, challenging terrestrial dominance and opening new frontiers for loT and mobile access.

- BY DR SIDHARTH SHUKLA

India's 5G journey, which began in October 2022, has rapidly evolved into a nationwide rollout, positioning the country among the fastest adopters of the technology. With over 95% population coverage and competitively priced services fuelling accessibility, 5G networks have expanded to 779 out of 783 districts as of 31 October 2024. Further, more than 4.6 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), primarily deployed by two major Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), are now operational.

Telecom operators are now preparing to move from enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) to the Internet of Things (IoT) vertical of 5G, leveraging the extensive infrastructure already deployed, which has been delivering consistent speeds across the country. This transition is expected to support the monetisation of capital expenditure by TSPs in India. While this shift is generating positive momentum in the market, a disruptive phase is approaching that could significantly impact the 5G IoT ecosystem.

REVIVAL OF LEO SATELLITES FOR CONNECTIVITY

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites were first used in the 1990s through networks like Iridium and Globalstar. In India, these were utilised by government agencies and the armed forces in remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. These LEO satellites provided inescapable and critical connectivity via stable, low-speed voice and data circuits. However, these constellations were not financially viable for the satellite operators and were phased out by the early 2000s.