India Set for Fastest Satellite Internet Expansion, Says Scindia

India is on track to experience the world’s fastest rollout of satellite communication services, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced at a seminar organized by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). He shared that the country’s satellite communication (satcom) market is projected to grow nearly tenfold, from $2.3 billion to $20 billion, by 2028. Scindia emphasized that satellite telecom will complement existing connectivity options and help bridge the digital divide.

His remarks came on the same day Elon Musk’s Starlink launched services in Bangladesh. While Starlink has received initial clearance from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), it still awaits final approval from IN-SPACe to begin operations. Meanwhile, competitors like Airtel-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications have already secured their GMPCS licences since 2021 and 2022, respectively.

The minister noted that the DoT is reviewing TRAI’s recent recommendations on space spectrum allocation. These include a proposed spectrum usage charge of 4% of operators’ annual adjusted gross revenue, with spectrum allocation valid for five years, extendable by two. These proposals may soon go to the Cabinet for approval.

Highlighting India’s rapid tech adoption, Scindia said the country’s 5G rollout was the fastest globally, reaching 99% of districts and 82% of the population within 22 months. He urged telecom firms to focus on delivering high-quality services. The minister also credited the Sanchar Sathi app for helping block fake mobile connections and recover stolen phones, boosting user trust through improved telecom monitoring systems.

Source: Business Standard