Centre Looking To Launch Satcom Services By Jan 2026

The government is reportedly keen on launching satellite communication (satcom) services in the country by January 2026.

The telecom department’s (DoT) highest decision-making body, the Digital Communication Commission (DCC, or the erstwhile telecom commission), is slated to meet soon to discuss the satcom rollout in the country, The Hindu businessline reported, citing sources.

“We are hopeful of services (satcom) being rolled (out) in December-January time period, as (the) final decision on spectrum pricing would also be announced,” a senior government official reportedly said.

Chaired by telecom Secretary, the DCC was reportedly scheduled to take a call on satcom spectrum pricing and distribution by July this year. However, the meeting was postponed and a new date is being finalised for the same now.

The DCC will chalk out the relevant policies for satcom services, including approving regulations and licenses for satellite earth station gateways – which connect satellite networks with terrestrial ones.

India’s Satcom Policy

While satcom rules are yet to be finalised, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), in May, recommended that satcom operators be assigned spectrum administratively for a period of five years, extendable by another two years.

TRAI also suggested pricing the spectrum at 4% of the operators’ adjusted gross revenue (AGR), subject to a minimum annual spectrum charge of INR 3,500 per MHz. AGR is a specific calculation of revenue used for calculating government dues from telecom operators.

The regulator also pitched for charging NGSO-based providers an additional INR 500 per urban subscriber per year. However, this charge will not be applicable for rural regions. Additionally, TRAI called for good-faith coordination among all authorised entities sharing spectrum.

It urged the Centre to explore subsidies for user terminals in underserved areas and introduce a defined 30-day window for spectrum assignment after an operator receives in-principle clearance.

However, the DoT reportedly wants the tenure for satcom spectrum to be kept less than five years in case of emergence of a new technology. The upcoming DCC meeting is expected to see discussions on such contentious issues.

Meanwhile, some of the biggest giants, both domestic and global, are making a beeline to acquire satcom licences in the country. While Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Apple partner Globalstar have sought approvals, Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelstat OneWeb, Jio-SES and Elon Musk’s Starlink have received initial approvals to operate in the country.

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