OneWeb can match mobile service rates in Western countries, not India’s “extremely low” prices: CEO
Satellite communication service provider OneWeb The company’s executive chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said on Sunday that the price of mobile service can match the price of mobile service in Western countries but its price cannot match the “extremely low” price. ” in India. Sharing details about OneWeb’s launch and services, Mittal said that these services will be affordable and on par with mobile rates if a community of 30-40 households in a house village uses it.
However, the services will cost more for personal use in India than existing mobile plans.
“If you ask me, can satellite communication prices be on par with mobile phone prices? Whatever is available in the western world, it can be done today. What’s available in India for $2 and $2.50 a month? No, because that’s an incredibly low price,” Mitttal said.
Earlier in the day, OneWeb constellation brought the total number of satellites in its constellation to 618 with the launch of 36 satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
Indian Space Research OrganizationThe Mark-3 Launch Vehicle (LVM3) placed 36 OneWeb satellites into low earth orbit following a successful launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
Speaking of affordability, Mittal said that a number of governments abroad have deployed a global service obligation fund to reduce the cost of satellite broadband services for their citizens.
He said the launch will bring high speeds equivalent to 4G plus or 5G services for air and marine services.
“80% of bandwidth is contracted globally. We currently have contracts worth $800-900 million globally. Our prices are very competitive in the satellite segment,” Mittal said.
He said the company currently operates in most of the countries in the northern hemisphere and regrets excluding Russia from OneWeb’s business map.
“We had a major setback with the Russo-Ukrainian war,” Mittal said. Six fully paid launches were cancelled. Not only did OneWeb have difficulty getting the money back, but it also lost 36 satellites. “.
He said that India has emerged as one of the serious players in the space industry.
“There are very few options left. space is one of the companies but you know they are also our competitors. But I’m glad they provided us with three rockets. But importantly, I think the prime minister of India has realized this moment and directed the entire space ecosystem in India to step up and give two rockets to OneWeb, which in my opinion has changed my life. play against us,” Mittal said.
He said the launch marked a very important day for India, where ISRO and NCIL have established themselves as a seriously important player in the commercial space launch industry in the world.
He said that each launch in India costs around Rs 500 crore.
Although OneWeb has a license to launch satellite services, it needs to wait until the Spacecom Policy is applied and spectrum is allocated to the company for signal transmission.
Mittal says that spectrum for satellites is a shared resource, and globally it has been allocated without an auction.
“Personally, I don’t feel that India is going to deviate from global practices,” Mittal said.
He said that OneWeb has a global capacity of 1.1 TBPS, of which 11 GBPS is specific to India.
He said that OneWeb is in discussions with companies to manufacture consumer satellite terminals in India.
“India will become the destination for the production of these terminals as Chinese terminals are unlikely to be manufactured in most parts of the world,” Mittal said.
The Bharti nhóm group The founder also said that he expects all the necessary licenses to launch the service in India by July-August and the company will sell the service through partners instead of selling directly. .
“We won’t reach the end customer. I won’t struggle with Airlines, Jio, Vodafone or globally any telecom operator. We’re matching them,” Mittal said.
He said that the company has been in discussions with the Indian armed forces, navy and people waiting for services.
“Airtel’s enterprise division will sell these services to corporate customers. Our joint venture with Hughes will be the primary source of sales for the rest of the market, including government, defense,” Mittal said.
The completion of the final leg of the first-generation 600-satellite LEO constellation by OneWeb, backed by Bharti, has set an important benchmark for the entire space industry, said AK Bhatt, General Manager of the Indian Space Association, AK Bhatt. Indian pillar in downstream satellite communication application in India.
“This will certainly aid in solving the problem of low fixed broadband penetration and bridging the digital divide in the most remote parts of the country. We are excited about the potential it has. holds and the positive impact it will have on our nation’s digital transformation aspirations.” Bhatt said.
