India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced a stricter set of security conditions for companies seeking to offer satellite communication (satcom) services in the country. These revised norms apply to both existing GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Services) licensees — such as Eutelsat OneWeb and the Jio-SES joint venture — as well as prospective entrants like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
The updated framework reflects India’s national security priorities and accounts for emerging technologies such as inter-satellite links and mobile satcom terminals. Key mandates include
- Local Data Infrastructure: Licensees must establish data centres or Points of Presence (PoPs) within India’s geographical boundaries. Domain Name System (DNS) resolution must also occur within the country.
- Data Sovereignty: Companies are required to submit undertakings that no Indian telecom data will be copied or decrypted abroad.
- Phased Local Manufacturing: Satcom providers must commit to a five-year indigenization plan, targeting at least 20% local manufacturing of their ground infrastructure by the fifth year of commercial operations.
- Integration with NavIC: All user equipment must be compatible with India’s NavIC satellite-based navigation system.
- Website Blocking Compliance: Websites banned in India must also be inaccessible via GMPCS services.
- User Location Monitoring: Mobile user terminals must report location every 2.6 km or every 1 minute, whichever comes first. Networks must be able to suspend service if a terminal enters a restricted area.
- Geo-Fencing Requirements: No user terminal should be able to access the satcom network from outside India or connect through gateways located abroad.
- Spoofing Prohibition: Satcom firms must ensure no location spoofing is possible through their user terminals.
- Monitoring Zone Mandate: Operators must maintain a 50-km special monitoring zone along India’s international borders.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reiterated that all companies, including Starlink, must fully comply with these security conditions to obtain a license. As reported, Starlink has already agreed to most of the requirements and could be closer to receiving approval.
DoT officials emphasized that these regulations were shaped after consultations with major stakeholders and were necessary due to India’s evolving security landscape and rising concerns over foreign surveillance threats, especially in light of ongoing tensions with China and Pakistan. The final list now includes 29–30 detailed security directives, which will be binding on all satcom service providers operating in India.
