India’s satellite communications landscape witnessed a fundamental transformation during 2025, moving from vision to operational execution and competitive readiness. In particular, the administrative assignment of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spectrum and the entry of global low Earth orbit (LEO) operators acted as catalysts for driving large-scale commercial roll-outs in 2026. Industry leaders share their views on the evolving satcom landscape, the challenges facing the segment and the strategic priorities for 2026…
How has India’s satcom landscape evolved from vision to execution over the past year? What were the most critical breakthroughs that will enable the shift to large-scale commercial roll-outs in 2026?
Neha Idnani
Over the past year, India’s satcom sector has moved steadily from long-term vision to early execution, with a clear shift towards operational validation and readiness for scale. The focus has increasingly been on proving real-world performance.
For Eutelsat, this evolution has been reflected in a series of live demonstrations and trials across government and enterprise environments. These deployments have shown how satellite connectivity can address connectivity gaps, particularly in remote, infrastructure-constrained areas, while delivering low latency, resilience and rapid deployability. Key use cases include secure communications, disaster response, maritime operations and connectivity for remote industrial sites.
Importantly, this has highlighted how satellite services can support mission-critical public sector applications and enable business operations in regions where terrestrial networks remain limited or economically unviable, helping shift discussions from conceptual capability to proven outcomes. Working closely with stakeholders across government and enterprise environments has helped build confidence in the scalability, resilience and relevance of satellite connectivity.
This emphasis on hands-on validation, alongside broader ecosystem progress, has helped establish a strong foundation to move from pilots towards structured commercial roll-outs, as regulatory and policy frameworks progress towards readiness
in 2026.
P.J. Nath
The landscape has undergone a foundational transformation, moving from a period of aspirational policy to one of actionable framework and competitive readiness. This shift is anchored in two interdependent breakthroughs that can collectively remove the barriers to scale.
The first is the tangible operational readiness of a mature, multi-operator LEO market. The granting of key licences and authorisations to major global LEO constellations will transition the market from theoretical potential to imminent reality. This move by regulators has activated a competitive environment where multiple service providers, each with distinct technological and commercial architectures, are poised to launch services. This competition is the essential catalyst for innovation, customer-centric pricing and accelerated coverage roll-outs. It ensures that the benefits of satellite connectivity – from enterprise backhaul to rural broadband – will be delivered through choice and market discipline.
Second, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has delivered its final recommendation on spectrum usage charges for satellite communications to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This is the last major regulatory milestone. DoT now needs to finalise and proceed with spectrum allocation. This final step will unlock the satellite connectivity market in India.
These parallel developments are not isolated; they are synergistic. The industry has progressed further in the past year compared to the preceding years. With all foundational elements aligned, 2026 is not merely a target year; it is the logical and inevitable launch window for significant commercial roll-out, marking the true beginning of India’s scalable satellite connectivity era.
Dharmendra Singh
The most critical breakthroughs were the government’s decision to grant licences to multiple LEO operators, and to set the satcom spectrum price in the range of 4-5 per cent and allocate NGSO spectrum through an administrative assignment route. This provided long-awaited regulatory certainty and unlocked serious investment and execution by both global and domestic players. As a result, NGSO operators such as Eutelsat OneWeb, Starlink and Jio-SES progressed into advanced trial phases and secured key licences and authorisations from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
With LEO and middle-Earth orbit constellations offering low latency, high speeds (up to 100 Mbps) and multi-terabit capacities, satellite broadband is now well-positioned to bridge India’s digital divide – connecting villages, schools, health centres and other locations where fibre deployment is impractical or uneconomical.
However, it is pertinent to note that many of the policy initiatives that were announced and initiated in 2023 and 2024 could not be implemented, and the final elements of these policies and processes have not materialised. This has prevented the widespread availability of multi-Gbps satcom services.
What are the challenges facing the industry? What policy and regulatory efforts are still needed to drive mass adoption of satcom services?
Neha Idnani
The satcom sector is entering a transformative phase driven by LEO and multi-orbit capabilities that enable satellite networks to integrate more closely with terrestrial systems, fundamentally reshaping how connectivity is delivered.
From Eutelsat’s perspective, this shift is already visible in India through our ongoing trials and demonstrations, which show how next-generation satellite services can deliver low-latency, resilient connectivity across government and enterprise use cases.
As spectrum allocation for NGSO systems progresses, the Indian market is becoming increasingly ready for scaled deployment, particularly across defence, aviation, maritime connectivity, disaster response and remote industrial operations.
Today, Eutelsat is conducting trials and demonstrations with defence forces, enterprises and public sector undertakings, working with local partners such as Airtel, Hughes and Nelco to prepare services for full-scale commercial deployment once the regulatory frameworks are in place. We have had the opportunity to provide critical connectivity services in times of need in relief efforts supported by the Indian government and armed forces, such as after the devastating flooding in Harsil and Sri Lanka. These engagements underscore the importance of satcom as a complementary and resilient layer within India’s broader connectivity ecosystem.
To unlock mass adoption, collaboration across industry and policy stakeholders is essential. Satellite and terrestrial networks are inherently complementary, and Eutelsat’s business-to-business and business-to-government model is built around integrating services with telecom operators and internet service providers to enable scale and reach.
From a regulatory standpoint, timely and transparent spectrum allocation for NGSO systems will be critical, alongside simplified and harmonised security and compliance frameworks aligned with international best practices. Rational spectrum fees, clarity on licensing timelines and support for ground infrastructure development, including for neighbouring regions, will further accelerate growth.
Crucially, policy should recognise that the true economic value of satcom lies not in spectrum monetisation, but in digital inclusion, rural enablement and national resilience. A growth-first, tax-later approach would allow India to position itself as a reference market for next-generation satellite communications.
P.J. Nath
Despite landmark reforms such as the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and a clear shift in policy intent, several structural and execution‑level challenges continue to constrain the pace and scale of satcom adoption in India.
The overarching challenge now lies in executing a flawless transition from a finalised policy framework to nationwide operational reality. While the strategic blueprint is in place, its ultimate success hinges on the precision, speed and inclusivity of its implementation. To catalyse mass adoption and ensure that the technology delivers on its promise, some immediate, actionable priorities demand focus.
First, the imperative of expedited spectrum notification and allocation. DoT now holds the critical mandate. The notification of final spectrum fees and terms by DoT is the essential next step to unlock commercial launches of NGSO services. The government needs to expedite this final step for NGSO services to convert regulatory certainty into market reality, moving the industry from readiness to revenue.
Second, securing inclusive access for satellite solutions in public procurement. For satcom to achieve its societal impact, it must be a viable, competitive option within the government’s own digital infrastructure missions. This requires proactively having satellite-specific connectivity requests for proposals for flagship programmes such as BharatNet for rural connectivity, where terrestrial networks are not available, PM e-Vidya for education, Ayushman Bharat for healthcare, and national disaster management networks. Creating dedicated satellite communication opportunities in these areas will ensure that this resilient technology is evaluated on its merits for last-mile and hard-to-reach terrain. This not only ensures the efficient use of public funds by selecting the most appropriate technology for the geography but also creates the demand certainty that will attract further investment and drive down costs for all users.
In essence, the new imperative is coordinated execution: swift administrative action to enable launch, and inclusive public procurement to drive scale and impact. These steps will bridge the final gap between policy intent and transformational connectivity on the ground.
Dharmendra Singh
Despite progress in the space, several structural challenges continue to limit the mass adoption of satcom services.
Cost remains the primary barrier. Satellite bandwidth is still significantly more expensive than terrestrial alternatives such as 4G/5G and multi-protocol label switching in India. In addition, geostationary equatorial orbit latency constraints limit the user experience for interactive applications such as video conferencing. Operationally, complex and time-consuming terminal approval and deployment processes also slow down scale-up.
To enable widespread adoption, the following policy and regulatory interventions are critical:
- Fiscal support mechanisms: Universal Service Obligation funding for satellite broadband and reduced regulatory levies for remote-area subscribers can help bridge the viability gap.
- Government demand stimulation: Mandated or incentivised adoption of satcom across ministries such as education, health and home affairs would provide sustained baseline demand and accelerate ecosystem maturity.
- De-licensing of user terminals: Treating satcom terminals more like mobile devices, that is, outside routine wireless planning and coordination controls, would simplify hardware stocking and consumer-scale distribution.
- Faster spectrum and licensing approvals: Expedited commercial spectrum allocation for NGSO systems and quicker in-principle approvals are essential to maintain deployment momentum.
- Regulatory parity: Very small aperture terminal (VSAT)-virtual network operator licences should be expanded to include missing scopes such as machine-to-machine backhaul and land mobility, and in-flight and maritime connectivity, ensuring parity across licensing frameworks.
What will be your primary focus areas and strategic priorities for 2026?
Neha Idnani
Looking ahead to 2026, Eutelsat’s priority will be to move from demonstrations the scaled deployment of LEO-based connectivity services for government and enterprise customers, addressing mission-critical connectivity requirements across land, sea and air.
Satcom is increasingly becoming an integral pillar of India’s digital infrastructure – not only to extend connectivity to underserved regions, but also to provide resilience and redundancy when terrestrial networks are disrupted by geographic, operational or climate-related constraints. This is particularly evident in maritime and defence applications, where reliable communications are required in environments with little or no existing infrastructure.
A recent example is Eutelsat’s support for the Indian Navy’s historic Project Kaundinya voyage, where our OneWeb LEO connectivity was deployed as the sole communications link onboard a traditionally built sailing vessel retracing ancient maritime trade routes. The deployment enabled real-time communication, operational coordination and crew welfare throughout the journey, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of LEO connectivity in demanding maritime conditions and its relevance to national priorities.
Looking ahead, demand is expected to continue accelerating across defence, aviation, maritime operations, disaster management, cellular backhaul, and remote industries such as mining, logistics and energy. In aviation, the combination of LEO and geostationary Earth orbit capabilities can deliver faster, more reliable in-flight connectivity while supporting real-time operational data. Climate-related events are also shaping priorities, as ensuring that first responders and critical services remain connected when terrestrial networks fail is becoming increasingly important.
In a country as large and diverse as India, the need for scalable, secure and resilient connectivity that can reach every region is paramount. With its low-latency, high-performance architecture, Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation is purpose-built to support India’s digital ambitions and strengthen the reach, reliability and resilience of India’s digital economy.
P.J. Nath
Our focus for 2026 is squarely on leveraging these breakthroughs to deliver scalable, reliable connectivity solutions across India’s digital landscape.
As the LEO services ecosystem reaches commercial readiness, our focus is on enabling the transformative potential of LEO connectivity for the broader market – across the enterprise, mobility and government verticals. The introduction of low-latency, high-availability satellite services will fundamentally enhance connectivity resilience and reach, enabling businesses and institutions to overcome traditional geographical and infrastructural limitations. This technology is poised to serve as a universal backbone, supporting everything from critical enterprise operations and supply chain mobility to extending the reach of public digital infrastructure. We are focusing on ensuring these services are delivered reliably and securely, helping to integrate this new layer of connectivity into the national fabric as a seamless and trusted utility.
We are strategically evolving and integrating advanced value-added service layers onto our connectivity core. This means embedding capabilities for security and operational efficiency, platform management for asset tracking and predictive maintenance, and customised software-defined wide area network and cybersecurity frameworks. We are building tailored, outcome-oriented platforms that turn raw connectivity into actionable business intelligence.
We are actively developing capabilities in adjacent high-potential areas to provide comprehensive, insight-driven solutions to our customers.
In essence, 2026 for us is a year of orchestrated execution. We are positioned at the confluence of a ready market, a mature partnership ecosystem, and a clear regulatory path. Our focus is to lead the deployment, innovate beyond the pipe and pioneer new value frontiers, ensuring that the promise of satellite connectivity is fully realised for India’s progress. Nelco is fully committed to being at the forefront of this execution phase, leveraging our decades of expertise.
Dharmendra Singh
The core priority for 2026 is to move from pilots to commercial scale, leveraging next-generation orbits while targeting segments where satellites deliver clear and differentiated value. Our key focus areas include:
- High-value, underserved segments: While traditional enterprise VSAT demand is declining, strong growth is expected in maritime, offshore energy, and aero (in-flight connectivity) markets where terrestrial networks simply cannot reach.
- Digital divide programmes (BharatNet III): Positioning satellites as the anchor solution for the 5-10 per cent of sites where fibre is not feasible, particularly under 4G saturation and BharatNet III initiatives covering schools and villages.
- Local ecosystem development: Working closely with IN-SPACe to promote domestic manufacturing, technology transfer and cost reduction of user terminals.
- Disaster resilience and emergency communications: Establishing satcom as the default emergency backhaul under the National Telecom Policy, 2025, ensuring continuity of government and enterprise services during climate-driven terrestrial outages.
- Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI): Integrating AI for operational efficiency and customer care, and also in products to enhance their effectiveness and enable a shift from proactive to predictive capabilities, which will add value for customers.
- Focus on the Make in India programme: Increasing our focus and resources to strengthen the Make in India programme and products, including software-defined wide area network solutions and routers.
- Quality certifications: Placing greater emphasis on quality certifications relevant to the industry, which will enable us to improve in terms of quality.
- Customer care initiatives: Targeted actions to enhance customer/user experience.
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR): Implementing diverse CSR initiatives aligned with goals.
