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India’s three licensed satellite broadband operators still await security clearances

NEWZA Editorial Team•

⚡ Key Financial Takeaways

  • Starlink, OneWeb and Reliance’s Jio‑SES have been granted GMPCS licences and IN‑SPACe authorisations, but no final security clearance yet.
  • The government issued 20 additional security requirements in May 2025, covering data localisation, lawful interception and border‑area geofencing.
  • Starlink has built 20 gateway sites in India, but the Ministry of Communications says final approval is still pending.
  • Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reiterated that spectrum allocation under the final pricing framework is also required.
  • Elon Musk’s public accusations of Indian business interests blocking Starlink were dismissed as “baseless and misconceived.”

💡 Why It Matters

Satellite broadband promises to bridge connectivity gaps in remote and underserved regions of India. Delays in granting security clearances and spectrum hinder the rollout of high‑speed internet services, affecting digital inclusion goals and the competitive landscape among satellite, mobile and fibre providers.

Licensing milestones India’s satellite broadband market opened in August 2021 when OneWeb India Communications received a letter of intent from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The first formal licence – a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence – was awarded to Bharti‑backed Eutelsat OneWeb in April 2022. Reliance’s Jio Satellite Communications followed in October 2022, and Elon Musk’s Starlink applied for a GMPCS licence in November 2022.

Subsequent space‑sector authorisations came from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN‑SPACe): OneWeb in November 2023, Jio and Luxembourg‑based SES in June 2024, and Starlink in July 2025. By mid‑2025 all three operators held the two core approvals – a telecom licence and an IN‑SPACe authorisation.

New security requirements stall commercial launch In May 2025 the DoT released a detailed set of 20 security conditions for satellite communication providers. The rules mandate that all Indian user traffic be routed through domestic gateways, prohibit foreign‑gateway routing or mirroring, and enforce strict geofencing near international borders. Additional obligations include data localisation, real‑time monitoring of user terminals and lawful interception capabilities.

While Starlink announced in October 2026 that it had installed 20 gateway sites and kept Indian user data within the country, the company has not yet received the final security clearance required to start commercial services. The same compliance gap applies to OneWeb and Jio‑SES.

Government stance and spectrum allocation Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified on 9 October 2026 that licences alone are insufficient; each operator must individually satisfy the security checklist and secure spectrum under the finalised pricing framework before launching. He reiterated a technology‑neutral policy that prevents monopolies and allows consumers to choose between satellite, mobile broadband and fibre.

Musk’s public criticism rebuffed Frustrated by the pace of approvals, Elon Musk used his X platform in early October 2026 to allege that Indian business interests were deliberately blocking Starlink. The government dismissed the claim as “totally baseless and misconceived,” emphasizing that all three firms are subject to the same regulatory hurdles.

Next steps for the operators The immediate priority for Starlink, OneWeb and Jio‑SES is to demonstrate full compliance with the security requirements and obtain the pending clearances. Parallel negotiations with the DoT over spectrum allocation under the announced pricing regime will determine when commercial services can commence.

--- *The story reflects information released by the Ministry of Communications and statements made at India Mobile Congress.*

🏛️ Background & Context

India began its satellite broadband licensing process in 2021 to diversify internet access options. The regulatory framework requires both telecom licences and space‑sector authorisations, followed by stringent security compliance to protect national data and border integrity. The three operators – Starlink, OneWeb and Jio‑SES – represent the only entities cleared to offer Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services, but they remain in a pre‑commercial phase due to the additional security and spectrum steps.

👁️ What To Watch Next

Watch for the DoT’s issuance of final security clearances and the allocation of spectrum under the forthcoming pricing framework. Any further statements from the ministries or the operators regarding compliance milestones will indicate how soon commercial satellite broadband may launch in India.

Topics:#Satellite broadband#India telecom#Starlink#OneWeb#Jio-SES
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