Science & Tech
India confirms three satellite operators hold licences
Commercial launches still await security checks and final spectrum assignments
Commercial launches still await security checks and final spectrum assignments
India’s market has three licensed companies, but customers cannot sign up yet. Starlink, Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb have completed key licensing steps. However, none has final approval to use or has finished the required . The government is still deciding what companies must pay to use the airwaves, including a proposed charge tied to yearly revenue.
The delay shows India trying to open the market while controlling limited airwaves and security risks. The handles licences and spectrum. The reviews security conditions. The same broad rules apply to all three companies, but each faces its own requirements. After approvals, competition could bring internet to remote areas. Prices, coverage and launch dates remain uncertain.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said operators can begin service only after the is finalised, each company completes its and spectrum is assigned. The sequence leaves competition among Starlink, Jio Satcom and OneWeb dependent on separate operator compliance, while broader coverage and consumer access in remain contingent on commercial launches.
Officials said security assessments were under way for all three licensed operators and that each company must individually satisfy its . The handles the , while the manages licensing and the spectrum process.
The government confirmed that Starlink, Jio Satcom and Eutelsat OneWeb hold in India. remained an applicant rather than a licensed operator, and officials rejected the idea that Starlink had been given a because all three licensees faced the same broad regulatory process.
Reporting clarified that Starlink, Jio Satcom and Eutelsat OneWeb each held a , while none had received final commercial spectrum assignment. The operators had , but the final assignment remained tied to the pricing framework and completion of security and other regulatory conditions.
The Digital Communications Commission approved a proposed satellite of 5% of annual . The proposal included a reduced 4% charge for operators serving , with set at five years and a possible two-year extension.
authorised Starlink’s first-generation constellation for India on 2025-07-08. This allowed the company to advance its Indian operations, but it did not replace the separate telecom spectrum and security steps required for commercial service.
The Department of Telecommunications granted Starlink a in June 2025. The licence put Starlink alongside Jio Satcom and Eutelsat OneWeb, but commercial service still required spectrum assignment, security compliance and other .
The issued Starlink a in May 2025, moving the company toward formal authorisation in India. The step did not constitute a commercial launch approval, because Starlink still needed to complete the licensing and spectrum process.
Reliance Jio’s satellite venture, , received a GMPCS authorisation for India. Its entry placed a major domestic telecom group alongside OneWeb in the emerging , while spectrum, security and other approvals remained separate requirements.
became one of the first satellite operators authorised to provide GMPCS services in India. The approval established an early competitive position, but did not by itself provide final or permission to begin service.
In October 2022, India introduced satellite-communication reforms that streamlined the licensing process for satellite-based services, including . authorisation is separate from , and operators must obtain additional clearances, including security and , before providing services.