Reliance Jio has unveiled plans to deploy around 1,600 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and establish 23 ground stations across India to expand internet connectivity to remote and underserved regions. The proposal was showcased at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi under the initiative called ‘Sovereign Satellite Connectivity’.
The proposed network aims to extend connectivity to more than six lakh villages, remote islands, border outposts and maritime areas where conventional mobile towers and fibre-optic networks are difficult to deploy. Jio plans to integrate satellite connectivity with its existing terrestrial network to improve coverage across the country.
The 23 planned ground stations would connect the satellite network with ground-based infrastructure, supporting data transmission and integration with Jio’s existing services. The company has also outlined plans to keep the satellite connectivity value chain within India, covering design, engineering, integration, testing, launch, deployment and operations.
Beyond residential internet access, the proposed network could support enterprise connectivity, aviation, maritime operations, government services, defence applications and disaster response. Jio has also highlighted the possibility of direct-to-device calling in rural areas.
The initiative comes as satellite internet providers, including Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb, prepare to expand their presence in India. Satellite-based services could help address connectivity gaps in regions where conventional telecom infrastructure is expensive or challenging to establish.
However, the 1,600 satellites and 23 ground stations remain part of a proposed plan. Jio has not announced a confirmed commercial launch date for the planned constellation. If implemented, the network could strengthen India’s digital infrastructure and extend connectivity to areas that remain difficult to reach through conventional networks.
