Addressing the Space Policy Conference 2025, organised by the ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI), Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), underscored the transformative potential of space technology in driving scientific, economic and social progress. He also highlighted how satellite communications (satcom) is emerging as a vital enabler of universal broadband connectivity, bridging the digital divide and advancing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also outlined the government’s recent policy and regulatory reforms – ranging from the Indian Space Policy 2023 to streamlined spectrum allocation frameworks – designed to attract private investment, promote innovation and accelerate the growth of India’s satellite broadband ecosystem. Edited excerpts from his address…
Space technology holds immense potential, not just for science and technology, but also for the economy. Its potential continues to unfold, especially as billions of dollars are being invested today. These developments hold the promise of significantly improving lives and advancing the UN’s SDGs. One of the most significant benefits of telemetry and space technology is the progress in satcom. This enables the delivery of reliable, ubiquitous and cost-effective connectivity, particularly to remote and geographically challenging regions across the country.
Satcom as an enabler of connectivity
Satcom has been maturing and developing rapidly, with nearly three decades of advancement behind it. Today, it is already widely used for commercial communications across numerous applications. In the context of societal development, broadband connectivity is no longer a privilege reserved for those who are geographically, economically or socially well placed. It has become a fundamental necessity. Access to broadband is essential for fulfilling social and economic needs; enabling better healthcare, education, entertainment and governance; and effectively delivering public services. Therefore, ensuring ubiquitous access to broadband is critical to bridge the socio-economic disparity in society. To bridge gaps in connectivity and broadband access, particularly in rural and remote areas, a greater focus on the development of terrestrial infrastructure is necessary. However, even the sharing of terrestrial infrastructure among telecom operators remains a challenge.
In today’s era, satcom plays a vital role in accelerating broadband penetration and ensuring ubiquitous access to even the remotest parts of the country. For this, it must become an integral part of mainstream broadband solutions, alongside the prioritisation of technologies such as fixed wireless access. However, the effective and safe operation of satellite systems is subject to numerous regulatory norms at both the national and international levels. These regulations focus on the management of orbital resources and spectrum, as well as licensing and compliance requirements to ensure efficient and secure operations. In addition to supplementing terrestrial networks, satellite systems can manage connectivity for vehicles, vessels, aircraft and internet of things (IoT) devices in remote and underserved areas. Satcom is critical for communication during disaster situations, especially when terrestrial networks are damaged by natural disasters.
Regulatory landscape and operational role of satcom
Innovations in satcom, including high-throughput satellites, very high-throughput satellites and geostationary (GSO) satellite systems, are revolutionising the satellite industry. Technological innovations in the field of small satellites, especially nano-satellites and satellite-based IoT, are expected to drive the next generation of satellite technologies. There are numerous emerging technologies that need to be explored, which will provide the solutions the country needs. These innovations are expected to enhance connectivity across industries and complement the deployment of 5G and the upcoming 6G technologies. Innovations in satellite ground stations, orbital services, digitised payloads, propulsion systems and artificial intelligence will further enable satellites to perform more complex functions efficiently and seamlessly. The government has implemented various reforms to promote satcom, enhance the ease of doing business and lower operational costs.
“Broadband connectivity is no longer a privilege. It has become a fundamental necessity for education, healthcare, governance and public servicedelivery.”
Innovation, regulatory reforms and sectoral enablement
Key initiatives undertaken by the government in space policy and satcom include the removal of artificial restrictions on antenna size and carrier speed, along with the elimination of server charges such as the network operations centre charge, Standing Advisory Committee on Frequency Allocation charge, network performance verification device charge, and additional licence fees for non-quantifiable machine (NQM) or internet of people (IoP) devices under the capital very small aperture terminal-public switched telephone network satellite closed user group (CUG) license. The scope of satellite licenses has been broadened to support NQM and IoP connectivity, and recent amendments allow CUG providers to offer backhaul for cellular and Wi-Fi services – a move that is particularly beneficial for enhancing rural-to-rural connectivity. To attract investments, the government has permitted 100 per cent foreign direct investment under the automatic route, and has simplified procedures by introducing user-friendly guidelines and digitalised application processes. Many of these reforms target improvements in pricing, conditions and content delivery. The government is unlocking the space sector’s potential. The introduction of the Indian Space Policy 2023 has enabled increased participation of private players and start-ups across the space segment, enabling a level playing field for non-government entities. This policy, designed to drive social, economic and technological advancement, was further operationalised through the release of the Norms, Guidelines and Procedures in May 2024, which outline space activities that require authorisation from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre and associated compliance practices. Additionally, the promotion of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) is being seen as a transformative step to enhance connectivity beyond terrestrial reach and foster innovation.
Overall, space technology holds significant potential for contributing to the achievement of the SGDs. In September 2024, TRAI gave recommendations on a new framework for service authorisation to be granted under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. As part of these recommendations, TRAI has prepared a unified service authorisation to achieve the objective of “One Nation, One Authorisation”.
Spectrum policy and service authorisation framework
When an entity obtains unified service authorisation from the government, it can offer numerous telecommunication services, including satellite-based communication services, on a pan-India basis. Additionally, under the scope of access service authorisation, TRAI has recommended the inclusion of NTNs. To bring much-needed legal clarity regarding spectrum allocation for satellite services, the Telecommunications Act, 2023, distinctly delineates between spectrum categories subject to auction-based assignment and those qualifying for administrative assignment.
TRAI’s long-anticipated recommendations, issued in May 2024 after an exhaustive consultation process, have been broadly welcomed as balanced recommendations, which will benefit the sector and the interests of all the stakeholders. The spectrum assignment policy that TRAI has recommended is initially for a five-year period, which can be extended for two more years. The recommendations cover a wide range of spectrum bands, including the AU, AA and LS bands, encompassing both fixed satellite services and mobile satellite services, especially for NTNs. The spectrum for NTNs was neither a part of the government’s reference to TRAI nor was it a part of TRAI’s recommendations. The recommendations are designed to support both GSO and non-GSO satellite systems.
TRAI has also made suggestions for faster application processing, proposing a 30-day timeline for in-principle assignment approvals. Regarding spectrum charges, TRAI has recommended that fees be levied as a percentage of the adjusted gross revenue, subject to a minimum annual spectrum charge. For non-GSO-based services, an additional per-subscriber annual charge in urban areas has been recommended to distinguish the cost of spectrum usage in urban areas and rural areas. This structure is intended to incentivise satellite operators to provide services in rural and remote areas, rather than diverting capacity solely to high-paying urban markets. TRAI has recommended technical safeguards as well, such as coordination norms, adherence to International Telecommunication Union regulations and flexibility for early surrender of spectrum if needed. Overall, these recommendations are expected to play a pivotal role in underpinning the growth of India’s satellite broadband ecosystem and supporting national digital inclusion goals.
By working collaboratively with all stakeholders, the country can build on the dynamics already created to further deepen, expand and scale digital access for every citizen, particularly in underconnected or unserved areas of the country.
