NEW DELHI – India is accelerating efforts to expand digital connectivity through satellite internet based services as part of its broader digital infrastructure initiatives, government sources said.
According to the Ministry of Communications, the country had 1,002.85 million internet subscribers in April–June 2025. Rural penetration remains limited, with approximately 46 subscribers per 100 people, highlighting the potential role of satellite internet in reaching underserved areas.
The government has introduced regulatory reforms to enable private sector participation in the space sector. The Indian Space Policy, 2023 allows non-government entities to engage across the entire value chain of space activities.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) authorises satellite-based services under the Unified Licence Regime, which includes commercial Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services, the ministry said.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued recommendations in May 2025 for spectrum assignment for satellite-based commercial communications. TRAI suggested assigning satellite spectrum for five years with an optional two-year extension depending on market conditions.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) oversees private sector space activities and coordinates with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), while New Space India Ltd. (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, operates 15 communication satellites and provides space-based services to Indian users.
NSIL’s current satellite projects include GSAT-N1 for direct-to-home services and GSAT-N2 for broadband connectivity, which is undergoing in-orbit testing.
India is transitioning from geostationary satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) systems to deliver faster, lower-latency internet nationwide, NSIL said. LEO satellites operate at altitudes between 400 and 2,000 km, while MEO satellites cover larger regions at 8,000 to 20,000 km.
The government has allowed up to 100% foreign direct investment in the space sector, a move that has attracted more than 10 satellite operators, including Starlink, Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb India Communications, according to the Department of Space. Starlink received a licence to operate in India in June 2025.
Satellite internet is expected to complement terrestrial networks, particularly in remote villages, hilly terrains, border areas and islands where ground-based connectivity is limited. Government programmes such as the National Broadband Mission 2.0, BharatNet and PM-WANI public Wi-Fi initiatives are also expanding digital access, the Ministry of Communications said.
In island regions, BSNL has increased satellite bandwidth for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 2 Gbps to 4 Gbps and for Lakshadweep from 318 Mbps to 1.71 Gbps. In north-eastern states, 2,485 mobile towers have been commissioned, providing connectivity to over 3,389 locations.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences uses internet connectivity through a Geographic Information System-based decision support system to deliver early warnings for extreme weather events, the ministry said.
ISRO operates a fleet of 19 communication satellites, including GSAT-19, GSAT-29, GSAT-11 and GSAT-N2, which provide high-throughput satellite broadband services to support remote connectivity, defence networks and disaster management.