Telecom Minister Welcomes Global Satcom Players To India

Telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has urged global satellite communication (satcom) operators to participate in the Indian market.

In an interview with news agency PTI, Scindia said that a multitude of players in the segment would provide more choices to the end customer, adding that the government has adopted a “company-agnostic” and “customer-centric” approach to satcom allocation. 

He also expressed “confidence” that India will have multiple players in the “satellite business” in the near future.

“From a telecoms perspective, we welcome all players into the market. I am company-agnostic and I am customer-centric. And it is my job to provide choice to my customers, and I would want more and more satellite companies to operate in India because at the end of the day, through satcom, you are able to connect the last mile of customers that are not being able to be reached through traditional networks or through optical fibre cable or broadband, fixed or mobile,” Scindia said. 

Responding to a question about balancing regulatory and security considerations with connectivity goals, the minister underscored that the government has issued clear deliverables to address such concerns. 

He also underscored that satcom services are particularly needed in rural and underserved areas of the “vast market that is India”. Calling satcom services an “imperative for India”, the minister noted that the satellite broadband offerings allow for last-mile coverage and connectivity in hard-to-reach or uncovered areas. 

Meanwhile, as Elon Musk-led Starlink makes its headway into India, the minister said that “every company (satcom operator) is welcome in India”.

On a question about Tesla and Starlink CEO Elon Musk’s upcoming India’s visit, Scindia said, “I think that his visit here will be in his form of heading DOGE as well as his multiple business enterprises and I think India is a great market for strengthening US-India relations and for any entrepreneur and any business enterprise to further and deepen their integration into the global market.”

Responding to a separate question about telecom operators, which were previously engaged in a tussle with satcom operators, suddenly teaming up with Starlink, the telecom minister said that the question should be asked to companies involved. He said that the government has stuck to its guns that companies ought to be quick to adapt to technologies and innovations that benefit humankind. 

“…that is a question that you need to ask them because my stand was exactly the same prior to their opposition and post their acquiescence to this technology. As I mentioned, I am technology agnostic. Technology evolves very rapidly in the world. What used to take decades, now takes days… that is the pace of innovation that humankind has evolved. And we must adapt to that,” Scindia added. 

Earlier in October last year, the minister said that satcom spectrum would be allocated administratively but at a cost. Back then, he added that the cost of spectrum and the formula of allocation would be decided by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). 

Since then, much has happened. Earlier this year, a report claimed that TRAI was mulling recommending allotment of satellite broadband spectrum for five years to assess initial market adoption. 

On the other hand, telecom giants like Airtel and Reliance Jio, which were in a bitter spat with satcom operators, softened their stance and announced a partnership with Musk-led Starlink to offer broadband internet services to customers in India.

While the likes of Mukesh Ambani’s Jio SES and Sunil Mittal’s OneWeb Eutelsat have already received initial approvals from the government, reports suggest that Starlink’s licence application is also nearing initial regulatory approval. 

However, these companies are yet to commence operations as TRAI has so far not finalised spectrum allocation norms.