Satellite internet in India: launch waits on clearance
Satellite internet in India remains on hold pending spectrum pricing and individual security clearances.
What changed for satellite internet in India
Satellite internet in India cannot launch yet, even though Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite arm, and Eutelsat OneWeb hold licences to offer the service. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on October 9 at India Mobile Congress 2026 that each licensee must fulfil its individual security conditions before starting operations.
Launches also remain subject to a final decision on spectrum pricing. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recommended in May 2025 that satcom operators pay 4% of adjusted gross revenue as spectrum charges. Scindia said TRAI and the Department of Telecommunications were close to a final decision, but gave no timeline.
Who this affects
The three licensed operators named above are still awaiting Ministry of Home Affairs security clearance. Scindia also identified Amazon’s Project Kuiper as a fourth applicant seeking a licence and said it would have to follow the same process.
The Ministry of Home Affairs must determine whether a company has complied with the security requirements, while the spectrum-pricing decision remains pending.
For the primary account of the minister’s statement and the questions raised with the authorities, read the MediaNama report on satcom licensees and security clearance.
