DH NEWS SERVICE
new delhi, Oct 8
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday underscored the critical role of satellite communication (satcom) in strengthening India’s digital infrastructure and advancing financial inclusion.
Calling it the backbone of India’s digital framework, Singh said, “Satellite communication plays a decisive role in connecting remote regions where terrestrial networks face geographical barriers.” With over 70 per cent of new ATMs being installed in rural areas, he added that satcom would be vital in ensuring financial inclusion and expanding digital services.
The Minister of State for the Department of Space made the remarks on the opening day of the India Mobile Congress in the national capital. The event brought together key stakeholders from the government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of satellite communication in India’s digital growth story. In his address, Singh highlighted the landmark reforms and growing private sector participation that have helped propel India’s emergence as a global space leader. “India’s space economy is projected to reach about $44 billion by 2033,” he noted. He further stated that India’s space economy, valued at $8.4 billion in 2022, is on track to expand nearly fivefold over the next decade.
Crediting reforms such as the creation of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the establishment of IN-SPACe, Singh said these initiatives have dismantled decades of state monopoly and paved the way for private innovation. As a result, more than 300 space startups have emerged in just five years, making India the world’s fifth-largest space startup ecosystem.
Concluding his address, the minister said India’s cost-effective missions, expanding private partnerships, and ambitious space roadmap are positioning the country as a global leader. “India’s space sector has earned for the country an enduring place in the world arena,” he remarked.
