According to director general, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), telecom operators are urging the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to create a level regulatory playing field for satellite communications (satcom) and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, saying current rules must keep pace with the digital economy.
With global satellite players such as Eutelsat OneWeb, Jio-SES and Starlink poised to launch broadband services, telcos warn that uneven regulation could skew the market if comparable services face different standards.
Satellite internet firms including Viasat, OneWeb, Hughes and Nelco want a dedicated licence category for satcom operators, arguing that the draft telecom authorisation framework could hamper growth and deter investment if satellite services are treated like traditional telecom operators.
Both camps have flagged concerns over regulatory delays and approval structures for satellite connectivity. Incumbent telcos say any preferential treatment for new entrants could disadvantage operators already carrying heavy spectrum costs and statutory levies.
Another key ask from telcos is a regime requiring OTT platforms to contribute to network costs, potentially via a levy akin to the Universal Service Obligation fee, covering major apps such as Netflix, WhatsApp, Amazon Prime Video, Facebook, Instagram and Zoom.
Operators are also pushing for lower spectrum reserve prices and streamlined levies, arguing that legacy pricing models from the 2G era no longer fit today’s digital landscape. They say fair pricing is essential as the industry readies for 6G and satcom integration.
