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  • Centre Plans to Launch Satellite Communication (Satcom) Services in India by January 2026

    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.

    Quick
    Shots

    •The Digital Communication Commission
    (DCC), chaired by the telecom secretary, to finalize spectrum pricing &
    policy.

    •Rollout expected in Dec 2025–Jan
    2026, pending spectrum pricing decisions.

    •DCC to decide on rules, licences, and
    earth station gateway regulations for satcom connectivity.

    •Administrative spectrum assignments
    for 5 years (+2-year extension).

  • India Tightens Satellite Internet Rules Ahead of Starlink, Kuiper Launches

    The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has laid the groundwork for a total revamp of the security mechanism for satellite-based internet service providers. This was long overdue, considering that players like Starlink and Project Kuiper, from the global big shots of the telecom industry, are knocking on the doors of the Indian market. The DoT thinks the new avatar will better defend national interests.

    The new guidelines require all licensees to obtain specific security clearances for each gateway hub in India, with a focus on real-time surveillance, domestic data routing, and operational transparency. Additionally, operators must set up lawful interception systems at key infrastructure points before starting commercial operations. These measures are designed to tighten security controls in an increasingly sensitive digital environment.

    Indian Infrastructure Mandate and Geo-Fencing Requirements

    The revised regulations make clear that the most fundamental parts of the technology core, monitoring parts, data control parts, and routing parts, must be located within the geographic borders of India. They also leave no doubt that service providers must use geo-fencing to keep the signals within the same borders. Otherwise, you get into a complicated situation, especially if you’re trying to put a system near an international land border or coastal region.

    Denying or restricting service to certain geographical areas or specific users, especially during emergencies or under government direction, is an operator responsibility. This ensures that national agencies can exercise control over service coverage, even in high-risk areas. The government also wants the NavIC satellite navigation system integrated into the telecom networks by 2029.

    Terminal Authentication and Real-Time Tracking Now Compulsory

    A notable aspect of the new framework is its emphasis on the registration of user terminals and real-time authentication. All devices, whether fixed or mobile, operating in Indian territory must be authenticated locally before accessing satellite network services. Devices not previously registered, or that were manufactured outside of India, must be verified before being used, even in areas that are supposed to be within satellite network coverage.

    Precise tracking of user terminals must be enabled by operators. This requires that the shared data be sufficiently accurate and up-to-date to allow for real-time decision-making by authorities. That, in turn, mandates some rather unforgiving stipulations for mobile units. Updates must go out either every 2.6 kilometers or every minute, whichever comes first, and no update can be missed. This is roughly the same pace at which a human runs.

    Data Sovereignty and Technical Compliance Cement Control

    The most recent guidelines are quite firm about data sovereignty. All internet traffic originating from satellite services must pass through Indian gateways. And there are strict rules about not decrypting, duplicating, or storing telecom data anywhere outside the country. Making any satellite-to-satellite or terminal-to-terminal in-space peer-to-peer communication is also explicitly prohibited.

    Moreover, businesses must show adherence to India’s technical standards for non-geostationary satellite networks (NGSO), Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM), and Transportable Earth Stations (TES) before they can launch services. Data centers, DNS services, and remote operations must follow domestic protocols for hosting and access to data. India has made it clear that for satellite communication to be operational within its borders, there are two requirements: operational readiness and regulatory alignment.