Wed Apr 09 02:24:54 UTC 2025: ## India Successfully Tests Satellite Internet in Myanmar Quake Relief Effort

**New Delhi, April 10** – India successfully conducted its first real-time deployment of satellite-based internet during Operation Brahma, its relief operation in quake-stricken Myanmar. The operation leveraged OneWeb Eutelsat’s low earth orbit (LEO) technology, establishing a communication link between a base in New Delhi and a terminal set up in Mandalay, Myanmar, within 24 hours of deployment.

This marks a significant step for India, which has yet to officially permit any operator to provide satellite internet services domestically. Several companies, including Reliance Jio, Starlink, and OneWeb, are vying for a share of the burgeoning Indian market.

OneWeb, granted a provisional license in November 2023, provided crucial connectivity to the Indian army and a field hospital in Myanmar following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28th. The successful trial showcased the potential of satellite internet for disaster relief and communication in remote areas.

OneWeb India has already received authorization from IN-SPACe, the Indian space agency, to launch commercial satellite broadband services, pending spectrum allocation from the Telecom department. The company, a joint venture of Eutelsat and Bharti Group, aims to provide ubiquitous connectivity across India, aligning with the government’s “Digital India” initiative.

While OneWeb primarily focuses on business-to-business solutions, its partnership with Airtel, Hughes, and Kymeta Corporation expands its reach. The company emphasizes secure, encrypted services, particularly for remote areas, utilizing a constellation of geostationary and LEO satellites. Interestingly, ISRO launched 72 satellites for OneWeb last year, marking a significant commercial partnership.

The Indian satellite internet market is rapidly evolving. Recent alliances between Jio and Airtel with Starlink, despite earlier objections, highlight the growing competition. OneWeb, however, maintains its strong position, highlighting its existing licenses and planned gateways in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, awaiting only spectrum allocation for full-scale commercial launch across India.

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