Apple’s Satcom Partner Globalstar Eyes India’s Growing Satellite Market, Plans to Establish Subsidiary

Globalstar, Apple’s satellite SOS services provider, plans to enter the Indian market by setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary and a land earth station gateway to expand its satellite communication services.

Key Points

• Globalstar, Apple’s satellite SOS partner, is exploring entry into India’s satellite market by establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary.
• The company aims to apply for GMPCS authorization and set up a land earth station gateway in India.
• Globalstar’s satellite SOS service is available on Apple’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series, providing off-grid emergency communication.
• India is a significant untapped market for Globalstar, as the company seeks to expand its low earth orbit (LEO) satellite services.
• The company hopes for a smooth regulatory process to establish its satellite infrastructure in India.

Globalstar Inc., the US-based satellite operator known for powering Apple’s emergency SOS services, is making strategic moves to enter the burgeoning satellite communication market in India. The company, which operates a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, is keen to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in India, according to its recent submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Globalstar’s satellite technology plays a critical role in Apple’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series, enabling users to access emergency SOS services even when they are off the grid, without mobile or Wi-Fi coverage. This service is especially valuable in remote or isolated areas where conventional communication methods may not be available.

The company’s interest in India comes at a time when the country is opening up to global satellite communication providers, making it an attractive market for expansion. Globalstar has proposed applying for a GMPCS (global mobile personal communications by satellite services) authorization and plans to establish a land earth station gateway within the country. This infrastructure would be crucial for the company to deliver its satellite communication services directly to Indian consumers.

“India represents the single-largest market that Globalstar has been previously unable to enter,” the company stated in its submission to TRAI dated July 31. Globalstar also expressed hope that the regulatory framework for its operations in India would be streamlined, without imposing any additional burdens on its efforts to introduce new satellite technologies in the region.

The company’s planned foray into India is significant as it highlights the growing demand for satellite-based communication services in the country. As more areas in India develop and the need for reliable communication infrastructure grows, companies like Globalstar are positioning themselves to tap into this expanding market.

By establishing a local subsidiary and gateway, Globalstar aims to ensure that it can offer uninterrupted satellite services, further strengthening its global footprint. This move could potentially open up new avenues for satellite-based services in India, from emergency communications to broader applications in industries such as agriculture, defense, and remote connectivity.

As Globalstar navigates the regulatory landscape and sets up its operations, its entry into India could mark a pivotal moment in the country’s satellite communication sector, bringing advanced, reliable, and accessible satellite services to millions of users across the nation.