-Vimal Wakhlu
I had posted a writeup titled ‘Rapidly Evolving Landscape of Satellite Communications: From Competition to Collaboration’, about a year back in the same column, in July 2025. A lot of fast paced developments had happened by then. So, it looked like it was a matter of months before the service would start in the country. A year later, the wait still continues!
In this writeup, we shall try to analyze the reasons for the same.
Background
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband services are very important from the development perspective. With throughputs of 200 to 260 Mbps and latencies of 20-50ms, better earth observation capability due to closer proximity to earth, would imply higher resolution imaging and more frequent data collection.
This means LEO based services would be a gamechanger for applications like environmental monitoring, in-flight connectivity, maritime commercial operations, disaster response, urban planning, precision agriculture, Smart water management, education, health services and a still more precise GPS navigation. Hence, there is no chance of not implementing the LEO based network.
Three entities had obtained the core GMPCS authorization- OneWeb India Communications Pvt. Ltd. backed by Bharati Airtel and Eutelsat; Jio Satellite Communications Ltd. a joint venture between Reliance Industries and SES; and Starlink Satellite Communications Private Ltd., a subsidiary of SpaceX. They are all in various final stages of negotiations regarding security node clearance, compliance with the newly introduced Telecommunications Rules 2026, and the final administrative allocation of radio spectrum.
Besides those three, Amazon Kuiper Services India Private Limited, has applied for a similar license, and the company’s application is currently under active examination by the DoT. Amazon has proposed an unconventional opening strategy: positioning its LEO constellation not as a direct consumer broadband competitor, but as a crucial backhaul infrastructure provider to expand India’s public Wi-Fi programs in rural areas.
The delay in the rollout of LEO based satellite broadband services in India is no longer due to a single licensing issue. The remaining bottlenecks are now concentrated around regulatory architecture, spectrum assignment, national security requirements, and investment approvals.
The principal reasons lie in India’s effort to build a comprehensive, sovereign regulatory framework that balances rapid digital inclusion with national security, spectrum governance, and competitive neutrality.
Recent developments
A number of active satellite terminals from a particular international LEO Satellite operator have been deployed and managed during conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, including reports of active terminals in unauthorized regions like Iran. Besides this, a number of such terminals have been recovered from some terrorists in the North Eastern Part of the country. There have been some similar reports from Jammu And Kashmir too.
This certainly must have been on the minds of the decision makers when the security norms were tightened, which were announced through Telecommunications Rules 2026, as a follow up to the Telecommunications Act 2023.
Now, telecom based services are a double edged sword. These can help solve a lot of challenges faced by the humans, particularly in the hinterland. However, those also have the potential to act as a catalyst for a flareup in geographies where fault lines exist.
So, it is also better to be steady with security first, which is of prime importance for peace and stability in any country, that can then culminate into development.
Challenges
Some of the other challenges facing the start of deployment of LEO based Satellite services in India also include:
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Spectrum Assignment Framework is still not in place. Although the Telecommunications Act, 2023 provides for administrative assignment of satellite spectrum (instead of auctions), the Government still has to finalize the pricing methodology, AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) levy, the assignment conditions; sharing terms, renewal conditions, rollout obligations. Without these, DoT cannot issue commercial spectrum assignments.
Consequently, Licenses exist, Satellites exist, Ground infrastructure is apparently ready, but commercial spectrum cannot yet be assigned. Industry estimates suggest this alone has delayed commercial launch by several months.
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Stringent National Security Conditions. As discussed, following some geopolitical developments and concerns over unauthorized satellite terminals, DoT has significantly tightened the security conditions for satellite broadband operators. Some important requirements include:
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Indian Gateway Requirement. All Indian traffic must pass through gateways located in India. Traffic cannot be routed through foreign gateways, overseas Network Operations Centres, inter-satellite links that bypass Indian gateways.
This requires operators to redesign parts of their global network architecture for India.
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Lawful-interception
Operators must establish lawful interception systems, real-time monitoring facilities, interfaces for security agencies, metadata sharing, Telecom Security Operations Centre integration.
These systems require significant investment before commercial launch.
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Location Accuracy. User terminals must provide location information with high precision (around 100 metres), and operators must implement anti-spoofing measures and comply with geofencing obligations near sensitive areas.
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Border Restrictions. Satellite terminals near: international borders, coastal security zones, strategic installations must comply with additional operational restrictions.
Given India’s security environment, these provisions are considerably stricter than those in many Western jurisdictions.
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Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Clearance Although having received GMPCS license and IN-SPACe authorization, the operators still require final government clearances related to foreign investment and security before obtaining commercial spectrum.
Government agencies are reportedly examining-ownership structure, cross-holdings, strategic implications, national security considerations before granting the remaining approvals.
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New Regulatory Architecture under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 India is transitioning from the old license regime to a new authorization framework. The key unresolved question has been- Should satellite communications be an independent service authorization, or merely a network layer supporting terrestrial service providers?
TRAI had earlier favored a dedicated satellite service authorization, while DoT explored a different structure. The continuing evolution of this framework has added uncertainty for operators.
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Transition from GMPCS to the New Authorization Regime Historically, satellite operators were licensed under the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) regime. Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, India is moving to a broader authorization framework.
During this transition, questions have arisen over migration of existing licenses, applicability of legacy obligations, future fee structures, compliance requirements.
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Ground Infrastructure Compliance LEO operators must establish gateway earth stations telemetry, tracking and control facilities, NOC (network operation centres), monitoring systems, security-certified data infrastructure.
Several of these installations require separate approvals from different agencies, adding to implementation timelines.
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Multiple Regulatory Agencies. Unlike terrestrial telecom, satellite broadband requires approvals from several bodies, including-Department of Telecommunications (DoT), INSPACe Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, Department of Space, security agencies, Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing, Ministry of Home Affairs (for security-related clearances).
While coordination has improved, the multiplicity of approvals still lengthens rollout timelines.
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Protection of Existing Telecom Ecosystem Although officially denied by policymakers, terrestrial telecom operators have argued that satellite broadband should not enjoy regulatory or financial advantages over terrestrial services. Issues debated include, level playing field etc.
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India’s Security-First Approach India’s policy reflects a broader strategic objective satellite broadband is viewed not merely as a commercial internet service, but also as critical communications infrastructure with implications for national security.
What could possibly be done
If India is to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047, an effective communication network, which doesn’t exclude any part of the hinterland, is a must. A LEO based Satellite system can effectively meet this challenge.
For this to happen, we need to pull our socks. Some of the steps we could take include:
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Mandatory local partnerships This could be an immediate short term measure. Forcing foreign entities to partner with local entities or adhere to strict domestic corporate accountability would ensure that the government maintains legal jurisdiction.
This prevents situations where an overseas management could cite domestic laws of their country to escape liabilities.
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Single window clearance To prevent abnormal delays in the clearances and then a roll out, there should be an entity like National Satellite Communication Authority, which could be the single window for the prospective service providers.
All other clearances from other stakeholders within the country including -WPC of DoT, Department of Space, IN-SPACe, Ministry of Home Affairs, security agencies, would be their responsibility.
This would ensure that the service providers do not have to go from one authority to another in an endless cycle.
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Satellite broadband guidelines
India could consider publishing a consolidated Satellite Broadband Regulatory Framework, a manual covering-,licensing, authorization, spectrum, gateway requirements, cybersecurity, lawful interception, data localisation, emergency response, quality of service, consumer protection etc.
A single reference document would help prospective entrants in future and help improve compliance. Even a National Satellite Broadband Policy would not be out of the place.
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Encourage indigenous satellite ecosystem
While private indigenous satellite manufacturing in is on track, and ISRO’s infrastructure would ensure launch of those satellites, Government of India should incentivise Indian LEO constellations development and also the indigenous user terminals with domestically manufactured chipsets as a long term strategy.
The objective ultimately being to create an indigenous LEO based satellite ecosystem, so that the security challenges can be substantially be minimised.
Conclusions
India’s objective should not be to become the fastest country to deploy LEO satellite broadband, but to become one of the most trusted one.
A regulatory framework that is transparent, technology-neutral, security-conscious, and investment-friendly will enable India to harness the transformative potential of satellite connectivity while safeguarding national interests.
By combining timely policy decisions with institutional coordination and indigenous capability development, India can accelerate LEO based satellite broadband deployment without compromising on sovereignty, cybersecurity, or fair competition.
There is no doubt that the country and the businesses are eagerly looking forward to the launch of LEO based satellite services in the country. The service providers are very keen to provide the same.
However, some international developments and some within the country, have put the Government of India on the defensive. So, in the interest of the nation on the whole, the service providers have been asked to meet with the latest regulatory compliances.
These might take some time, as these could also imply some changes in the configuration/architecture as well.
So, we shall have to wait till then!
This writeup has first been published under the Think Tank section in the Communications Today e-journal in July 2026.