On June 18, India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released draft rules for spectrum assignment under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, outlining how spectrum will be allocated without auctions across 19 user categories. The draft, open for public comment until July 18, 2026, includes provisions for traditional satellite services but notably excludes operators providing consumer satellite broadband such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications, according to medianama.com.
The draft Telecommunications (Spectrum Assignment by Administrative Process) Rules, 2026, set pricing and conditions for Geo-Stationary Orbit (GSO) satellite services, including teleports, Direct-to-Home TV, digital satellite news gathering, corporate Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) connections, and BSNL’s satellite phone service. However, the rules omit Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite broadband operators, which use constellations of satellites in lower orbits to provide fast, low-latency internet. The fee schedule in Annexure IX lists only commercial GSO VSAT and BSNL’s satellite phone, without mentioning NGSO services (medianama.com).
This exclusion leaves a regulatory gap for NGSO satellite broadband providers, which are gaining prominence globally for delivering internet in underserved areas. Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications operate NGSO constellations, and their omission from the draft rules means they currently lack a clear framework for spectrum assignment in India. The draft’s focus on traditional GSO services contrasts with the growing market for low-earth orbit broadband, potentially impacting competition and service expansion in the sector (medianama.com).
The DoT’s draft rules will remain open for public comments until July 18, 2026, after which the government will consider feedback before finalizing the framework. This timeline sets a clear deadline for stakeholders, including NGSO operators, to engage with the regulatory process and seek inclusion in India’s spectrum policy.