India’s satellite communications (satcom) industry has called on the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to fast-track the provisional allotment of satellite spectrum. This would pave the way for Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and the Reliance Jio-SES alliance—both of which have secured the necessary government approvals—to commercially launch satellite internet services in the country.
NGSO Operators Ready, But Waiting
Despite securing essential licenses and authorizations, including Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) permits from DoT and clearances from IN-SPACe, non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) operators remain unable to initiate services due to pending frequency assignments. NGSO operators use low-earth orbit (LEO) and medium-earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellations to deliver high-speed broadband.
ISpA and BIF Advocate Provisional Access
In letters addressed to DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal, the Indian Space Association (ISpA) and the Broadband India Forum (BIF) stressed the need for urgent provisional access to spectrum. They proposed a model where operators could begin services immediately by submitting an undertaking to pay spectrum charges retroactively—once pricing is finalized by the government.
“Despite having the requisite licenses and infrastructure in place, some NGSO satellite operators are still unable to launch services due to the absence of frequency allocation,” ISpA noted in its April 16 communication.
Delays Threaten Investments and Service Rollouts
ISpA—whose members include Eutelsat OneWeb—warned that ongoing delays are causing financial strain and wasting valuable satellite resources, which typically have a lifespan of just 5–7 years. Though neither ISpA nor BIF named specific companies in their letters, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES are the only NGSO operators currently authorized to offer commercial satellite internet in India.
Awaiting TRAI Recommendations
The sector’s progress remains stalled as the government awaits the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recommendations on spectrum pricing and allocation mechanisms. Industry stakeholders argue that provisional spectrum assignments would enable infrastructure utilization, boost investment recovery, and support the government’s digital inclusion goals.
