Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday said three companies have received satellite communication (satcom) licences in India and can begin operations once they meet individual security requirements and the government finalises the spectrum charge mechanism.
Scindia’s remarks come amid a controversy over satellite internet services following an exchange between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Elon Musk on X over the rollout of satcom services in India.
“There are three parties that have got a licence. As and when the government decides the charge system on a revenue basis, that spectrum will be assigned to them, and as and when they individually fulfil the security conditions, then they can start operations,” Scindia said.
The minister said India does not allow a monopoly in any sector and that the government would enable customers to choose between services in a competitive market.
“A lot of conversation is happening about one specific company, but three companies have got satcom licences,” Scindia said, adding that the government’s role was to provide consumers with a range of services to choose from.
Scindia said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) were close to taking a final decision on the pricing regime for satcom spectrum.
The three licence holders will be assigned spectrum once the government decides the revenue-based charge mechanism. However, obtaining a licence alone will not be enough to begin commercial operations, as each company must also meet the applicable security requirements.
The minister’s comments clarify the government’s position amid questions over when satellite internet services will become operational in India.
Scindia also criticised the Congress over its position on the satcom controversy, saying the party had earlier objected to a particular individual receiving a licence but was now questioning why the same person was not being allowed to proceed.
“I don’t think they themselves know whether they are going left or right,” Scindia said, referring to the Congress.
He said the party had initially raised concerns about a particular person getting a licence and was now aligned with that person in questioning the delay in granting spectrum.
“We are very clear on our stand,” Scindia said, reiterating that all three licence holders would be able to proceed once the spectrum pricing mechanism was finalised and they individually met the security conditions.
The controversy follows an exchange between Rahul Gandhi and Musk on X over the availability of satellite communication services in India. The government has maintained that the process will be governed by the same policy framework and security requirements for all eligible operators.