According to a written reply by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space (DoS), Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, to Rajya Sabha, a fleet of 19 communication satellites are operational over India and these satellites support the telecommunications, broadband and broadcasting services as well as societal and strategic communications.
The space sector reforms have enabled larger participation of non-governmental entities for building/leasing, owning and operating the satellite systems for providing satellite-based services. More than 10 satellite operators have shown interest and applied for authorisation for providing the satellite capacity over India. With more players in the market, the entire country would get enhanced satellite capacity and the competitive price advantage.
The ground infrastructure (antennas, terminals) for satellite broadband are part of the satellite communication services and the licensed satcom / telecom service providers would deploy them. Moreover, government is encouraging and enabling Indian entities to establish the space assets for broadband services. While NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a central public sector enterprises (CPSE) under DoS, having plans for deploying new satellites based on user demand, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)/DoS have also enabled one Indian private operator with requisite orbit spectrum support to deploy a new broadband satellite.
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has not received any application for establishment and operation of a Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite constellation similar to Starlink by an Indian operator. Capacity from all foreign satellites can be provisioned for broadband satellite networks in India only after IN-SPACe’s authorisation. The foreign entities owning and operating broadband satellite networks in the space covering India is governed by international regulations and coordinations. The use of such satellites for services over Indian territory is governed by Indian Space Policy, 2023; Telecommunications Act, 2023; and other regulation and guidelines.
