In a world where digital connectivity defines opportunity, satellite communications are emerging as a critical solution for reaching populations still without internet access. Sunil Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Group, recently emphasized the potential of satellite connectivity during the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi. With nearly two billion people globally still disconnected from the internet, Mittal noted that satellite communications offer a “magic bullet” to provide coverage in the world’s most remote areas.

India, despite its remarkable growth in digital infrastructure, still has significant gaps in coverage. About 5% of India’s population remains offline, residing in areas that make up 25% of the country’s landmass. These regions include deserts, dense forests, and vast coastal stretches, where traditional mobile networks and fiber-optic cables are either infeasible or too costly to implement. Satellite technology, Mittal argued, is the only feasible solution for these areas.

During his address, Mittal pointed out that India provides a high-quality signal to 95% of its population. However, the remaining 5%, living in areas with difficult terrain, have remained unreachable by conventional networks. “For those areas, you need satellite communications,” Mittal stated. This gap represents a vast opportunity for telecom companies and satellite providers alike.

Bharti Airtel, through its collaboration with satellite provider OneWeb, is positioning itself to lead the charge in addressing these connectivity challenges. Mittal revealed that Bharti’s two ground stations in Mehsana (Gujarat) and Pondicherry are ready to start satellite services. The company is only awaiting final government approvals to begin rolling out coverage to the remotest corners of the country. “The day government gives us the permission, there will not be a single square inch of this country which will not have radio coverage,” Mittal said confidently.

Mittal’s comments come amid an ongoing debate on satellite spectrum allocation. Companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Mittal’s Bharti Group, along with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, are vying for control over this valuable spectrum. The crux of the issue lies in whether satellite spectrum should be auctioned, as Ambani advocates, or administratively allocated at a cost, as Musk’s Starlink prefers.

Mittal has argued that satellite companies aiming to operate in urban markets should buy spectrum just like telecom companies. He contends that administrative allocation could disrupt the level playing field that traditional telecom operators rely on, particularly when it comes to urban expansion.

Another challenge facing telecom operators, Mittal highlighted, is the difficulty of establishing infrastructure in densely populated urban centers, such as Lutyens’ Delhi. Local authorities often resist the construction of mobile towers, further compounding the issue of connectivity.

Despite these hurdles, Mittal underscored that Indian telecom companies continue to offer high-quality services at prices significantly lower than those in the US and Europe. While Indian networks may lag behind global leaders like Japan and South Korea, they remain far superior to those in Africa and many Western countries.

Mittal’s vision for satellite communications as the “magic bullet” for India’s unconnected population is part of a larger, global push toward comprehensive internet access. With billions still offline, satellite technology could revolutionize connectivity, bridging the digital divide not only in India but across the world.

Key Highlights:

1. Sunil Mittal, Bharti Group Chairman, emphasizes satellite communication as a solution for unconnected areas.
2. Nearly 5% of India’s population lacks internet access, and Mittal’s Bharti Airtel plans to use satellite tech to fill this gap.
3. Global debate arises over satellite spectrum allocation, with Mittal advocating for a level playing field for telecom operators.
4. Mittal highlights challenges in setting up urban infrastructure and defends the affordability of Indian telecom services.

Credit: This article is based on information from NDTV, Economic Times, and Financial Express.