Politics · India Bureau
India's satellite internet rules treat all operators equally, government asserts
The Indian government has defended its regulatory framework for satellite communication services, stating that all licensed providers must clear identical security assessments and meet uniform requirements before spectrum allocation.
LSN India ·
New Delhi has pushed back against suggestions that its satellite internet licensing rules favour certain operators, asserting that regulatory standards apply uniformly across all approved service providers in the sector.
According to government officials, the three licensed satellite communication operators are currently undergoing mandatory security evaluations as part of standard compliance procedures. These assessments form a prerequisite for spectrum assignment and must be completed before any operator can commence commercial services, officials said.
The government's position comes amid international scrutiny of India's approach to licensing satellite internet providers. Authorities have emphasised that the approval process, security vetting, and spectrum allocation criteria are identical for all applicants, ensuring a level playing field in the emerging satellite broadband market.
India has been working to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for satellite communications to support broadband expansion across underserved regions. Officials have indicated that the security clearance process is a standard requirement designed to protect national interests while facilitating private sector participation in the sector.
The government plans to complete the security assessments for all licensed operators before moving forward with spectrum distribution, according to officials familiar with the matter.