Satellites in your pocket? Not so fast

Despite the hype, satellite networks for smartphones remain a distant horizon, hindered by technical challenges and economic constraints

- VERNIKA AWAL

India's satellite communications, or satcom industry, has yet to take off commercially. But even before a full-scale launch, the sector has garnered enough interest to spark potential rivalries. What's interesting to note, in this regard, is that none of the services are looking to cater to mobile networks and telephony, which remain rooted on the ground.

To be sure, mobile phones do not directly support the reception of satellite network connectivity. The latter requires a separate modem, connectivity, and antenna mechanism, which is why, so far, satellite phones with bulky builds and thick antennas were restrictively sold only to government agencies upon special requisition requests. This, however, has changed in terms of possibility with the advent of new-generation computing, as the chips and antennae have both gotten smaller.

Innovation, on this note, was seen by Apple in 2022. Two years ago, the Cupertino firm launched its iPhone 14 series of devices, which, among other features, brought satellite connectivity to the smartphone through a feature called 'Emergency SOS. While restrictive, this remains the only commercially available smartphone with integrated satellite network connectivity to date.

Why have satellite networks not taken off yet?

CHOICES AT HAND

To begin with, satcom services in India are likely to take off with three key players in the sector: Reliance Jio, in a joint venture with Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES; Bharti Airtel, in partnership with UK-based OneWeb and US-headquartered Hughes Communications; and Elon Musk-backed SpaceX subsidiary Starlink.

The Tata group's satellite services firm Nelco Limited, which partners with Canadian satellite operator Telesat, has for now pulled out of the race after withdrawing its application with the Ministry of Communications to acquire a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) licence.