According to reports, the government is eager to introduce satellite communication (satcom) services by January 2026. The Digital Communication Commission (DCC, formerly known as the telecom commission), the highest decision-making body of the telecom department (DoT), is scheduled to meet shortly to discuss the country’s satcom rollout, according to sources cited by The Hindu Businessline.
According to a senior government official, the administration hopes to roll out services (satcom) in December or January since that is when the final spectrum pricing decision will be made. According to reports, the DCC, which is chaired by the telecom secretary, was supposed to make a decision by July of this year regarding the pricing and distribution of satcom spectrum.
The conference was postponed, though, and a new date is currently being decided. In addition to establishing rules and licences for satellite earth station gateways, which link satellite networks with terrestrial ones, the DCC will lay out the pertinent policies for satcom services.
Commenting on the move, Amit Mahajan, Director, Paras Defence & Space Technologies stated, “The Government’s plan to launch Satellite Communication (Satcom) services in India by January 2026 marks a defining moment in our digital and industrial future. Reliable, secure, and high-capacity Satcom will not only transform connectivity in remote and underserved regions but also reshape how enterprises operate across sectors such as logistics, energy, financial services, and manufacturing. For industries advancing towards automation, Industry 4.0, and real-time data exchange, communication infrastructure forms the backbone. Satcom has the potential to bridge gaps where terrestrial networks cannot reach—enabling resilient supply chains, smarter mobility, and more efficient governance systems.”
New Satcom Rules Yet to be Finalised
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suggested in May that satcom operators be given administrative spectrum assignments for a duration of five years, with the possibility of an additional two-year extension, even though satcom regulations have not yet been approved.
With a minimum yearly spectrum fee of INR 3,500 per MHz, TRAI also recommended pricing the spectrum at 4% of the operators’ adjusted gross revenue (AGR). Government dues from telecom providers are calculated using a certain revenue computation called AGR. Additionally, the regulator proposed charging NGSO-based operators an extra INR 500 annually for each urban user. However, rural areas will not be subject to this fee.
TRAI further demanded that all permitted organisations sharing spectrum coordinate in good faith. It recommended that the Centre look into user terminal subsidies in underserved areas and establish a 30-day window for spectrum assignment following an operator’s in-principle clearance.
DoT Wants Satcom Tenure to be Less Than 5 Years
According to reports, the DoT wants the satcom spectrum tenure to be kept under five years in case a new technology emerges. Such controversial topics are anticipated to be discussed at the next DCC meeting. Some of the largest corporations, both local and foreign, are rushing to obtain satcom licences in the nation in the meanwhile.
Elon Musk’s Starlink, Jio-SES, and Eutelstat OneWeb, supported by Bharti Enterprises, have been given preliminary permissions to operate in the nation, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Apple partner Globalstar have applied for licences.
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•The Digital Communication Commission •Rollout expected in Dec 2025–Jan •DCC to decide on rules, licences, and •Administrative spectrum assignments |
