India permits fair competition in satellite comms, Scindia says

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday rejected suggestions that India's satellite communications sector operates under monopolistic conditions, asserting that the country maintains a competitive regulatory environment across all industries. His statement comes amid ongoing debate regarding market access for international satcom providers seeking to operate in India. Scindia emphasised that the Department of Telecommunications maintains a technology-neutral approach to licensing and service provision. "Our job is to provide a bouquet of services to every customer," the minister said, noting that consumers in a free market should determine their service preferences based on available offerings. Three satellite communications operators have received licences and are permitted to commence operations following individual compliance with government security norms and operational milestones. The minister reiterated that India's regulatory framework prioritises consumer choice and fair competition rather than favouring any particular player or business model. The clarification addresses recent industry commentary questioning market access conditions for satellite internet services in the country.