An engineer reviews plans for Reliance Jio's LEO satellite project in a facility.
Reliance Jio has set a roadmap for its entry into the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite space, targeting a maiden test flight in September 2027. This ambitious infrastructure project, which entails the deployment of a 1,600-satellite constellation, represents a significant capital expenditure aimed at bridging the digital divide in underserved regions of India.
According to current projections, the company intends to transition to mass deployment by early 2028. The strategic rollout is expected to proceed in phases, with 400 to 450 satellites estimated to be in orbit by 2030, culminating in a fully operational network by 2035. This development marks a shift in the competitive landscape for satellite-based broadband services in South Asia.
For institutional investors, the move underscores Reliance Industries’ commitment to vertical integration across the telecommunications and digital services stack. By controlling its own satellite infrastructure, Jio aims to reduce dependency on third-party terrestrial networks while diversifying its service delivery capabilities. The project will likely serve as a key indicator of the long-term capital intensity required to compete in the emerging LEO market, currently dominated by global players like SpaceX.
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