Summary:
The Government of India has reaffirmed that private satellite communication companies can operate under a regulated framework, with OneWeb India Communications, Jio Satellite Communications, and Starlink Satellite Communications among those authorised to provide commercial satellite services. The new Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026 replace the earlier licensing model with an authorisation-based framework, while the government continues to oversee compliance and security. The Centre said satellite communications will play a vital role in expanding connectivity to rural, remote, tribal, border, and island regions, supporting India’s next phase of digital inclusion.
The Government of India has reiterated that private satellite communication companies are allowed to operate in the country under a regulated framework, paving the way for expanded space-based connectivity. Companies including OneWeb India Communications, Jio Satellite Communications, and Starlink Satellite Communications have received approval to provide commercial satellite communication services in India.
Responding to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) grants authorisation only to companies incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 2013. Applicants must also comply with Unified Licence requirements, including foreign direct investment (FDI) regulations, security obligations, and other applicable laws.
The government stated that Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) authorisation under the Unified Licence framework has so far been issued to OneWeb India Communications Private Limited, Jio Satellite Communications Limited, and Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited.
Additionally, 11 companies have been granted Commercial VSAT Closed User Group (CUG) authorisations. These include Nelco Limited, Hughes Communications India, Cloudcast Digital, Reliance Jio Infocomm, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), ONEOTT Intertainment, Jio Satellite Communications, OneWeb India Communications, Avantel, Starlink Satellite Communications, and Inmarsat India.
The minister further noted that the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026, notified on June 23, 2026, have replaced the previous licensing model with a new authorisation-based framework. Under the revised rules, eligible companies can deliver telecom services through wireline, terrestrial wireless, satellite, and submarine networks, while the government continues to oversee compliance through inspections and regulatory monitoring.
Regarding spectrum allocation, the government explained that the Telecommunications Act, 2023 allows spectrum for specified satellite communication services to be assigned administratively, as outlined in the Act’s First Schedule.
The eligible services include Teleports, Direct-to-Home (DTH), Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS), Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG), Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS), National Long Distance (NLD), International Long Distance (ILD), and Mobile Satellite Services operating in the L and S frequency bands.
Addressing security, the Centre clarified that satellite communication operators receive permission to commence services only after meeting all prescribed technical and security requirements specified under their authorisation conditions.
The government also emphasised the importance of satellite communications in extending digital connectivity to rural, remote, tribal, border, and island regions, where deploying fibre-optic or microwave infrastructure is often technically difficult or financially impractical.
With the new regulatory framework now in effect and more private companies entering the sector, the government views satellite communications as a critical component of India’s future telecom ecosystem, particularly for connecting underserved areas that remain beyond the reach of conventional terrestrial networks.
