India's telecom regulator proposes new satellite network licence framework

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has put forward recommendations for a dedicated licence category for satellite network service providers, a move that could reshape India's telecommunications landscape. Under the proposed framework, international satellite operators would be permitted to lease network capacity to existing Indian telecom service providers rather than establishing their own customer-facing operations.

If the Department of Telecommunications accepts TRAI's recommendations, major global players including Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and similar operators would gain a structured pathway to participate in India's growing satellite communications market. The new category would position these companies as infrastructure providers rather than retail service providers, operating within India's existing regulatory architecture.

The proposal addresses a significant gap in India's current licensing regime, which has not explicitly accommodated satellite operators functioning purely as wholesale network providers. This framework would allow domestic telecom operators to integrate satellite capacity into their service offerings, potentially expanding connectivity to underserved areas while leveraging international satellite infrastructure.

The recommendation now awaits consideration by the Department of Telecommunications, which will determine whether to implement the proposed licensing category. Industry observers suggest the move reflects India's recognition of satellite technology's potential in bridging connectivity gaps across the country's vast geography.