Nelco partners with Elveo for D2D satellite connectivity in South Asia
Nelco Ltd has entered a strategic partnership with Elveo Mobile to introduce Direct-to-Device satellite connectivity in India and South Asia. The deal involves an undisclosed investment in Lunar Holdco., Inc. and targets enterprise sectors such as automotive, maritime, and government. The collaboration leverages Elveo’s S-band NGSO satellite network to provide real-time connectivity and compute solutions, expanding Nelco’s service portfolio beyond traditional satellite communications.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Nelco Limited announced a strategic partnership and investment in Lunar Holdco., Inc., doing business as Elveo Mobile, on August 17, 2026. The collaboration aims to bring next-generation Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite connectivity to India and broader South Asian markets. This move positions the Tata Group company to expand its satellite communication services into emerging enterprise segments that require reliable, non-terrestrial mobile connectivity.
Under the agreement, Nelco will integrate Elveo’s global S-band non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite network capabilities into its platforms. The partnership focuses on delivering seamless coverage and compute solutions directly from space to smartphones, IoT devices, and machines. This addresses coverage gaps in regions where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or insufficient for mission-critical operations.
Strategic Focus and Target Sectors
The collaboration targets specific high-value enterprise verticals where continuous connectivity is essential. Nelco plans to work with clients in the following sectors:
- Automotive telematics and fleet management
- Maritime operations and asset tracking
- Energy infrastructure monitoring
- Government and disaster response systems
- Remote operations and business continuity planning
P J Nath, Managing Director and CEO of Nelco, highlighted the technological advantages of the partnership. He noted that Elveo’s advanced on-board processing allows the network to adapt and scale with evolving customer needs. Nath stated that D2D represents the next growth wave for the global satellite communications market.
Expansion of Tata Group Ecosystem
Ramu Potarazu, CEO of Elveo, emphasized the expansion of intelligent communications solutions into new markets. He indicated that the partnership would not only serve the Indian market through Nelco but also facilitate collaboration with other Tata Group companies globally.
Adel Al-Saleh, Chief Executive Officer of SES and a strategic investor in Elveo, welcomed Nelco to the partner ecosystem. He expressed anticipation for the next phase of global connectivity enabled by this alliance.
What the Numbers Show
While no financial values were disclosed for the investment or deal size, the strategic alignment indicates a shift toward high-margin, technology-intensive service offerings. By leveraging Elveo’s existing satellite infrastructure rather than building proprietary hardware, Nelco can potentially accelerate time-to-market for D2D services. This asset-light approach to expanding into IoT and D2D sectors contrasts with traditional capital-intensive satellite deployment models, suggesting a focus on operational scalability over heavy upfront capital expenditure.
Regulatory and Forward-Looking Context
The press release includes standard forward-looking statements regarding future business performance. It notes that actual results may differ due to regulatory approvals, spectrum licensing requirements, and technology deployment timelines. Nelco stated it undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by SEBI and applicable stock exchange regulations.
Historical Stock Returns for NELCO
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -2.17% | +0.85% | -2.23% | +62.01% | +16.47% | +71.24% |
How might regulatory hurdles regarding spectrum licensing in India impact the timeline for Nelco's D2D service launch?
What specific competitive advantages does Elveo's S-band NGSO network offer over existing L-band or Ku-band satellite providers in the South Asian market?
How could this partnership influence the strategic direction of other Tata Group subsidiaries in integrating non-terrestrial connectivity into their global operations?
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