Mittal says OneWeb would be the first private player to launch satellites from India through Isro facilities
Marking a beginning in its India story, Bharti Group's OneWeb on Monday announced a pact with the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to launch satellites from the country. Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal said OneWeb would be the first private player to launch satellites from India through Isro facilities.
The company would launch satellites in India starting 2022, in a move that could be a game-changer in terms of hinterland connectivity. Mittal said Isro had built formidable launch capabilities and India was part of the select group of countries to have a history of successful launches. "OneWeb will be delighted to use Isro's proven platforms to fulfill its vision of taking broadband connectivity across the earth, oceans, and sky,” he said at an event where the Indian Space Association (ISpA) was inaugurated in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
To date, OneWeb was using space centers in Russia and Kazakhstan for its launches.
Bharti Group’s decision to invest in OneWeb came in July 2020 through a partnership with the UK government.
The cutting-edge technology offering high-speed internet speed and low latency becomes even more relevant in the pandemic era.
“With this new initiative that we have taken, I am sure more and more international customers will come to the doorstep of Isro and NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd). We have a great future ahead. The Prime Minister is showing us the way. It's time for the industry to respond,” Mittal said.
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