India Nears Satellite Communication Launch, Targeting Early 2026 Rollout
India is steadily moving toward the introduction of satellite-based communication services, with the government aiming to launch them by December 2025 or January 2026. This major development is under close review by the Digital Communication Commission (DCC), the highest decision-making authority within the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). According to sources, a DCC meeting is expected soon to finalise important decisions, particularly on spectrum pricing and policies that will define the country’s satcom sector.
Spectrum Pricing and Licensing Guidelines Await Final Nod from DCC
The decision on how spectrum will be allocated—originally planned for July—was pushed back and is now expected to be concluded in the next few months. Government officials say the aim is to time the commercial launch of services with the finalisation of spectrum-related details. Along with pricing, the DCC will also lay out the rules for licensing and for setting up satellite earth station gateways, which play a key role in linking satellite networks with ground-based infrastructure.
Although the full policy is still being drafted, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has already made formal suggestions. Back in May, TRAI proposed assigning spectrum on an administrative basis for five years, with an option to extend by another two. For pricing, TRAI recommended charging 4% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR), with a minimum annual fee of ₹3,500 per MHz.
In support of non-geostationary satellite operators (NGSOs) targeting urban users, TRAI also advised charging an extra ₹500 per user per year, though this would not apply to customers in rural areas. It further recommended measures like coordinated spectrum sharing among operators, subsidies for user terminals in low-access regions, and a 30-day timeline for assigning spectrum after receiving in-principle approval.
Rising Global Interest Sparks Competitive Race in Indian Satcom Space
While TRAI has suggested a five-year window, the DoT is reportedly in favour of a shorter validity period. Officials argue that shorter licence durations will provide flexibility in case newer technologies emerge in the coming years. This point of divergence between TRAI and the DoT is expected to come up during the DCC’s upcoming session.
In the meantime, interest in India’s satcom market is growing rapidly. Several major players, both domestic and international, are already moving forward. Starlink, backed by Elon Musk, Bharti’s Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio-SES have received initial clearances. Other companies like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Globalstar, which is partnered with Apple, are also looking to gain a foothold, reflecting how competitive this space is becoming.
Summary:
India is planning to roll out satellite communication services by late 2025 or early 2026. The Digital Communication Commission is working to finalise rules around pricing and licensing. TRAI has recommended a 4% AGR model, limited-time licences, and rural subsidies. Major companies, including Starlink, OneWeb, Amazon, and Jio-SES, are all competing for a place in this emerging sector
