Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 08: Akash Ambani says Jio is building a home-grown satellite stack and filing early 6G patents. The operator also sees AI reshaping voice and data services. Both efforts tie into India’s next-generation connectivity goals.
Reliance Jio is developing indigenous satellite technology, its chairman Akash Ambani has said. The operator has also filed patents in the pre-6G space, he added. Ambani spoke to ANI on 8 October at the 10th India Mobile Congress.
He framed both efforts as support for India’s global ambitions in telecommunications. Neither announcement, however, signals a finished product or an operational network.
Ambani said Jio is showcasing progress towards an indigenous satellite stack built in India. A technology stack covers the hardware, software and systems needed to run a service. For satellites, that can span ground stations, user terminals and network control software.
Such technology could deliver broadband to areas that mobile towers struggle to reach. It could also be integrated with Jio’s existing mobile and fibre networks. Ambani gave no technical details, launch dates or investment figures.
On research, Ambani said Jio had already filed for pre-6G patents. Filing is only the first step; patents must still be examined and granted. Jio has not disclosed how many applications it has submitted. Patents matter because 6G standards will be set internationally. Firms whose inventions become standard-essential can earn licensing fees from equipment makers.
India’s government wants the country to hold 10% of global 6G patents. Ambani said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set that target. He said Jio intends to contribute heavily to the effort. The goal forms part of the Bharat 6G Vision, launched in 2023. It remains a national target rather than a measured achievement.
Ambani also pointed to artificial intelligence as a way to improve traditional services. He said Jio believes AI can drive innovation in voice and data services.
In practice, telecom AI can help manage traffic and predict network faults. It can also automate customer support and tailor plans to individual users. Jio has not said which AI features will reach customers, or when.
Satellite links matter for India’s push towards wider digital inclusion. Mountainous, remote and island regions remain costly to serve with cables and towers. Satellites can also provide backhaul, carrying traffic between remote towers and core networks. They offer backup communications when disasters damage ground infrastructure. Satellites are generally expected to complement, not replace, terrestrial networks.
Competition is building, with Elon Musk’s Starlink among foreign providers eyeing Indian demand. Regulatory approvals and spectrum allocation remain central issues for all operators.
Turning research into services carries considerable cost and risk. Satellite systems require heavy spending on launches, ground equipment and spectrum. New technologies must also work smoothly with existing networks and devices. Patent filings do not guarantee commercial success or adoption in global standards.
The India Mobile Congress, running from 7 to 10 October, gathers operators, firms and policymakers. This year’s discussions span 5G, 6G, AI-driven networks and satellite communications.
Ambani said Jio was presenting its wider digital society vision at the event. He said the company’s focus remains its value proposition for consumers. Jio’s progress on satellites, AI and patents will shape its role in India’s 6G plans.
