India May Let Satcoms Serve Foreign Markets

The draft rules do not provide any specific timeline for companies to switch to the new authorization regime

- Jatin Grover

In a possible relief for satellite internet service providers such as Starlink, OneWeb, Jio Satellite, and Amazon's Kuiper, the Centre has proposed allowing them to use their satellite earth station gateways in India to serve users in other countries.

The government also wants the companies to roll out satellite internet services within a year of spectrum being assigned.

These are part of the draft rules under the new authorization regime for telecom, satellite operators, internet service providers, and others released by the department of telecommunications (DoT) on Monday for stakeholders' feedback.

The comments can be sent within 30 days after which final rules will be notified.

The development assumes significance as allowing Indian gateways of these companies to serve other geographies will help them reduce capital expenditure.