LEO satellite broadband complements terrestrial networks rather than replacing them. Discuss, and bring out the implications for India's connectivity policy.

Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite broadband, such as Starlink, OneWeb and Jio-SES, uses large constellations flying a few hundred kilometres up to deliver low-latency internet. The government itself sees satellite internet as a critical tool for bridging the digital divide [1]. It extends terrestrial networks into places they cannot reach, but it cannot take their place.

Why LEO complements rather than replaces

• Reach vs density: Fibre and mobile networks are built for density. They serve millions of users cheaply in each square kilometre. LEO is built for reach, so it pays off where cables and towers do not: Himalayan border villages, islands, ships and forests.
• Shared capacity: Each satellite beam is shared by every user under it. Heavy demand in cities congests the service, so LEO cannot carry mass urban traffic.
• Cost: User terminals and monthly tariffs cost far more than mobile data, which limits LEO to niche users.
• Built into terrestrial networks: BharatNet and Digital India already use satellite links to extend their reach [1]. Satellite works as backhaul and backup for terrestrial networks, not as their rival.
• Resilience: When floods or cyclones cut fibre, satellite links keep emergency communication running.

Implications for India's connectivity policy

• Hybrid last mile: BharatNet has made over 2.14 lakh Gram Panchayats service-ready [2]. Policy should use fibre and towers by default and use satcom for the hardest remaining villages, not run parallel networks.
• Spectrum and fair competition: TRAI's May 2025 recommendations on satcom spectrum terms [5] must keep a level playing field with terrestrial operators while keeping costs low enough for rural users.
• Licensing and security: DoT has issued GMPCS authorisations to Jio-SES, OneWeb and Starlink [6]. Licensees must reach 20% indigenisation of ground segment within five years [4]. A ₹900-crore National SATCOM Monitoring Facility has also been announced [3].
• Strategic autonomy: LEO networks are dual-use, serving both civilians and the military. India should require Indian gateways, lawful interception and data localisation, and support indigenous constellations under the Indian Space Policy 2023, so that it does not depend on any single foreign operator.

In short, terrestrial networks provide India's capacity and satellites provide its reach. A "fibre-first, satellite-where-necessary" policy, with security conditions written into licences, can deliver universal connectivity under SDG 9.c and the Digital India vision without giving up sovereign control.