TRAI recommends charges, framework for satellite internet services

TRAI rejected satellite internet as a aggressive or equal risk to “terrestrial” cell and glued line networks and TRAI chairperson Anil Kumar Lahoti stated, “It’s a complementary service.” File
| Photo Credit:  trai.gov.in

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday (May 9, 2025) beneficial that mounted satellite services by corporations like Starlink ought to pay 4% spectrum utilization charges on their adjusted gross revenues, in addition to a ₹500 annual payment per city subscriber. The suggestions convey India a step nearer to accessing satellite internet services just like the one supplied by Elon Musk-owned Starlink.

TRAI rejected satellite internet as a aggressive or equal risk to “terrestrial” cell and glued line networks, reasoning that the entire bandwidth accessible on satellite networks was far decrease, and that spectrum may very well be shared amongst satellite suppliers. “It’s a complementary service,” TRAI chairperson Anil Kumar Lahoti stated. “There is no sound basis to examine this issue in the context of competition.”

The suggestions, which have been into account since final 12 months, come simply two days after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a letter of intent to Starlink, which has been eyeing the Indian market. Starlink now wants to amass spectrum beneath the phrases that TRAI has now beneficial, with charges of ₹3,500 per megahertz of spectrum it intends to make use of. (Assuming Starlink maxes out at 200 megahertz, because it does in another international locations, this might be an annual expense of ₹70 lakh.)

The United States has been urgent international locations around the globe to pave the best way for services like Starlink as part of general commerce talks. Mr. Lahoti stated that this was not an element within the regulator’s suggestions as we speak. “We have dealt with the entire subject only in the context of the reference received (from the DoT),” Mr. Lahoti stated. “If there are any issues with respect to the bilateral trade agreement, etc, those are dealt with by the government, not by TRAI.”

The spectrum project will solely final for 5 years, extendable by two years. Starlink had requested for a minimal 15 12 months validity of spectrum. An authorisation payment of 8% will even apply, because it does to telecom operators and glued line internet suppliers. These charges and surcharges are more likely to make Starlink services value considerably greater than ₹4,200, which is the worth in Bhutan, whose native forex is pegged to India’s at parity.

TRAI has beneficial that spectrum in a number of bands within the 12–75GHz vary. 

Security circumstances weren’t part of TRAI’s suggestions, as these are dealt with by the DoT. Earlier this week, DoT added a number of safety circumstances to its current stringent framework, prescribing restrictions on satellite internet terminals that may disable them outdoors Indian soil. The DoT will now evaluate TRAI’s suggestions, and if it differs on any facet, will ship a back-reference to the regulator, after which the federal government can proceed with spectrum administration.