Jio, OneWeb & Starlink Granted Unified License for GMPCS

In the latest development of India's satcom market, country's Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued Unified License (UL) with authorisation for GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) service for national service area to 3 companies: OneWeb India Communications Private Limited, JIO Satellite Communications Limited, and Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, as informed by Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in Rajya Sabha on 29th January, 2026. 

DoT is presenting examining application from Amazon Kuiper Services India Private Limited (presently Amazon LEO) while rejected application from Tata-backed Nelco Limited and Hiranandani Group-backed Yotta Network Services Private Limited whereas Connect4sure Technologies Private Limited has withdrawn its application. 

ISRO's 100th Orbital Launch Marks Highest Payload Lift with AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 6

Vodafone UK's satellite partner AST SpaceMobile has sent their BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite into its intended Low Earth Orbit with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s LVM3-M6 rocket on 24th December 2025. BlueBird Block-2 satellites, including BlueBird 6, feature a massive 2,400 square foot (223 m²) communication array, weighing in at 6,100 kilograms, was the heaviest payload that the LVM3 has ever launched into LEO. ISRO's commercial arm, New Space India Ltd (NSIL) facilitated the commercial agreement between ISRO and AST SpaceMobile. 

While ISRO firmly maintains its stand of global satellite launch market with 6th mission of LVM3, it also marks the completion of 100 orbital launches. The LVM3 launch vehicle (Launch Vehicle Mark-3, formerly GSLV MkIII), developed by ISRO, is a three-stage rocket comprising two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110) and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). With a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes and a height of 43.5 metres, the vehicle is capable of carrying up to 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

Vodafone Makes First Space Video Call using AST SpaceMobile's LEO Satellites, Satcom in India

Though its Indian venture, Vi is struggling to roll out 5G services across the country, UK-based multinational telecom company Vodafone has achieved something extra-ordinary -  On 29th of January, 2025 Vodafone has successfully made the world’s first space video call using normal 4G/5G smartphones and satellites that will allow multiple users in areas of no mobile coverage to make and receive video calls, access the Internet and use online messaging services.

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group-CEO & Astronaut Tim Peake

The space-partner of Vodafone remains the same, AST SpaceMobile, in which Vodafone invested in 2020 and since then both working closely. In December 2024 both entered into a definitive long-term commercial agreement through 2034 - which is a significant step forward in their collaboration to expand broadband connectivity globally.