Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Nelco Plans India’s Direct-to-Device Satellite Launch by 2028
Nelco is a company that provides satellite communication services.
It wants satellites to connect directly with ordinary phones and other devices.
This type of service is called direct-to-device, or D2D.
Nelco plans to start commercial services in India by early 2028.
It may later expand to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The company has bought a minority stake in Lunar Holdco to help develop this business.
Nelco plans to work with mobile phone companies instead of selling directly to most customers.
The technology could help devices work in places where regular networks are unavailable.
Nelco plans to launch commercial direct-to-device satellite services in India by early 2028.
The Tata Group-backed company is considering expansion into Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Nelco acquired a minority stake in Lunar Holdco for ₹191.2 crore, reported as $20 million.
The company plans to work with mobile operators, keeping its D2D business mainly B2B and B2G.
Potential uses include smart agriculture, connected vehicles, maritime safety and remote monitoring.
- Who
- Nelco, led by Managing Director and CEO P J Nath, is developing the service with Lunar Holdco and mobile operators.
- What
- Nelco plans to launch direct-to-device satellite connectivity and expand its satellite communications business.
- When
- Commercial services are planned for early 2028, with significant growth expected over the following five to 10 years.
- Where
- India will be an initial market, followed by potential operations in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Nelco sees D2D as a major future growth segment with applications where terrestrial networks may be unavailable.
- Planned launch
- Early 2028
- Initial market
- India
- Potential expansion
- Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
- Investment
- Minority stake in Lunar Holdco for ₹191.2 crore, reported in the article as $20 million
- Business model
- Primarily business-to-business and business-to-government
- Potential applications
- Smart agriculture, connected vehicles, maritime safety and remote monitoring
- Current satellite focus
- Geostationary satellite services, with low-Earth-orbit opportunities expected to create new markets