Satellite Internet in India Introduction 

• The expansion of satellite internet is a transformative development, especially for countries like India, where vast rural and remote areas are underserved by traditional broadband infrastructure. 
• Satellite-based internet, particularly Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, has the potential to provide high-speed connectivity to millions of users across India, especially in regions where fiber optic cables and traditional infrastructure are difficult to implement.
• The emergence of companies like SpaceX’s Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper highlights the growing importance of satellite internet in a digitally connected world. With India set to become a $1 trillion digital economy by 2025, the government has laid the groundwork for expanding satellite internet connectivity to achieve its digital inclusion goals. However, while the promises are significant, there are concerns about the monopolization of the market and the potential risks related to digital sovereignty.

What is Satellite-Based Internet?

• Satellite-based internet leverages satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), positioned between 550 km to 1,200 km from Earth’s surface, to deliver broadband services. Unlike traditional terrestrial internet services that rely on physical infrastructure like fiber optics, satellite internet can provide coverage across vast, remote, and rural areas where connectivity has traditionally been lacking.
• Global Satellite Internet Players:
  • Starlink (SpaceX): The largest satellite constellation with over 7,000 satellites in orbit.
  • OneWeb (Bharti Airtel-backed): Aims to launch 650 satellites to provide connectivity, particularly in underserved regions.
  • Project Kuiper (Amazon): In the process of building its constellation to expand global broadband coverage.
  • GuoWang (China): A state-controlled satellite initiative with plans for 13,000 satellites, aiming for full digital sovereignty over communication.
• India’s growing demand for internet connectivity and the rise of its $1 trillion digital economy by 2025 underline the importance of an indigenous satellite ecosystem, reducing reliance on foreign companies for digital infrastructure and ensuring the country’s digital sovereignty.

What is The Significance of Satellite-Based Internet for India? 

• Bridging the Digital Divide & Universal Connectivity: 

• India’s internet penetration is currently at 52.4%, with 900 million users (TRAI, 2025). However, vast parts of rural India still lack reliable broadband connections. Satellite internet presents a game-changing solution, particularly for remote regions such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, where building physical infrastructure is not economically viable.

• • • Satellite internet can provide essential services like telemedicine, digital education, and financial inclusion in areas that lack traditional connectivity.

• Economic Growth & Boosting Rural Development: 

• • • Satellite internet is a critical driver of the digital economy. With FICCI (2023) estimating that satellite broadband could add $50 billion to India’s GDP, this connectivity will empower e-commerce, digital banking, MSMEs, and startups across rural India.
    • Enhanced internet access in remote regions will open new opportunities for e-commerce and digital payments, fueling the growth of local economies and businesses.

• National Security and Strategic Autonomy: 

• • • Satellite internet holds great importance for national security, particularly for military communication in border areas like Eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. India’s ability to control its indigenous satellite networks ensures that it remains secure against cyber espionage and data interception.
    • India’s strategic autonomy is critical, as reliance on foreign-controlled satellite systems could expose the country to geopolitical leverage by other nations.

• Geopolitical Alignment and Digital Sovereignty: 

• • • India’s partnership with Starlink signals alignment with the U.S. in the digital realm, ensuring the country remains in control of its digital infrastructure. In contrast, China’s GuoWang satellite initiative aims to strengthen its digital sovereignty, presenting a potential challenge to global digital governance.
    • India’s collaboration with SpaceX counters China’s Digital Silk Road, reinforcing India’s data security and reducing dependence on China’s technological influence.

• Disaster Resilience and Crisis Management: 

• • • Satellite communication ensures resilient communication during natural disasters, when terrestrial networks are often disrupted. For example, during the 2018 Kerala floods, ISRO’s satellite communications played a critical role in coordinating relief operations and rescue missions.
    • Satellite networks provide real-time monitoring during cyclones, earthquakes, and floods, ensuring critical communication in times of crisis.

• Global Competitiveness and Space Diplomacy: 

• • • India’s satellite internet capabilities enhance its global competitiveness and strengthen its role in space-tech alliances. Collaborations with countries like France (OneWeb) and Japan (ISRO-JAXA) bolster India’s technological leadership on the global stage.

• Enabling 5G Networks and Future Connectivity: 

• • • Satellite internet can complement 5G networks, especially in remote areas where fiber optics may not be feasible.
    •  Starlink’s collaboration with T-Mobile in the U.S. demonstrates how satellite services can seamlessly integrate with 5G infrastructure to provide low-latency, high-speed connectivity.

• Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring: 

• • Satellite networks can significantly improve agricultural productivity through precision farming and better climate resilience. Real-time satellite data can enhance weather forecasting and agricultural planning, benefiting schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

What are Government Initiatives for Satellite Internet in India? 

• BharatNet Project: 

• • • The BharatNet Project is one of the largest digital infrastructure initiatives in India. Its goal is to connect 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (village councils) with high-speed internet by laying fiber optic cables across rural India. 
    • While it has been successful in connecting over 1.5 lakh Panchayats so far, the project faces challenges in scaling and ensuring long-term sustainability. Satellite internet can complement BharatNet by providing connectivity in hard-to-reach regions, particularly in hilly areas, remote villages, and tribal zones, where fiber optic cables are either economically unviable or difficult to lay.

• ISRO’s GSAT Satellites: 

• • • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plays a critical role in enhancing India’s satellite internet capabilities.
    • ISRO has launched over 20 GSAT satellites since its inception, with the GSAT-19, GSAT-29, and GSAT-30 playing key roles in augmenting satellite communication services. These satellites facilitate everything from telemedicine to distance education, ensuring reliable connectivity across diverse regions.

• New Space Policy 2023: 

• • • India’s New Space Policy 2023 aims to foster private sector participation in satellite communication. This policy encourages private players to contribute to satellite communications infrastructure, thus reducing India’s reliance on government-owned entities like ISRO. 
    • By promoting innovation and investment in the space sector, the government is working to make satellite internet services more affordable and accessible.

• Liberalized FDI Policy: 

• • • India has recently introduced a 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in satellite communication. This move opens the door for global satellite communication companies to invest in and operate satellite networks in India. 

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): 

• • India has embraced Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as a model to accelerate the rollout of satellite internet services. 
  • For instance, partnerships between companies like Airtel-OneWeb and Jio-Starlink have already made a significant impact in the satellite broadband sector. These collaborations leverage private sector efficiency and government-backed infrastructure to reach underserved regions.

What are the Challenges in Implementing Satellite Internet in India? 

• Monopoly and Market Control: 

• • • The satellite internet industry is currently dominated by Starlink (SpaceX), with its expansive constellation of over 7,000 satellites.
    •  This gives it a significant first-mover advantage, controlling 80% of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite market. 
    • In comparison, OneWeb and other competitors, such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper, are still in the early stages of launching their satellites.
    • The sheer scale of Starlink’s network makes it difficult for smaller providers to compete, leading to concerns about the potential creation of a private oligopoly. 
    • If this trend continues, there could be limited competition in the satellite internet market, raising prices and reducing accessibility, especially for rural areas that need it the most.

• Regulatory and Sovereignty Challenges:  Satellite internet raises several regulatory and sovereignty concerns, especially for a nation like India, which has robust data protection needs.

• • • National Security Risks: The use of foreign satellite networks can lead to security risks, including potential cyber espionage and interception of communications. Given the critical importance of communication infrastructure in defense and governance, India’s reliance on foreign-controlled systems poses a strategic risk.
    • BSNL’s Exclusion: The exclusion of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) from key satellite partnerships limits India’s control over its satellite infrastructure, which could have broader implications for national security and digital sovereignty.
    • Data Sovereignty Issues: If Indian data is stored abroad, especially in countries like the U.S., it can be subject to foreign laws, such as the CLOUD Act, potentially compromising India’s privacy and cybersecurity. Ensuring that satellite providers store Indian user data within Indian borders is critical to maintaining national sovereignty.

• Spectrum and Regulatory Challenges: The regulatory environment for satellite communications is still evolving, with many hurdles still in place. One of the most significant challenges is the spectrum allocation for satellite services.

• • • Spectrum Delays: Satellite communication services like Starlink and OneWeb require spectrum in the Ku-band and Ka-band, but there have been delays in approvals from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). These delays are affecting the timely roll-out of satellite broadband services.

• Geopolitical and Strategic Risks: The growing geopolitical competition in space, especially between the U.S. and China, has implications for satellite-based services. China’s GuoWang plans to deploy 13,000 satellites, raising concerns about Chinese control over global satellite infrastructure.

• • Tech Sovereignty: India’s strategic interests are tied to limiting foreign influence over critical communication infrastructures. Given the geopolitical climate, foreign satellite providers like Starlink could have more influence over India’s satellite-based communications than the country might find acceptable. The Personal Data Protection Bill (India, 2023) does not address satellite data privacy adequately, exposing India to potential cybersecurity risks from foreign satellite operators.

• Cybersecurity Threats:  The cybersecurity threats associated with satellite internet are significant. The growing reliance on satellite networks for critical communication makes them an attractive target for cybercriminals.

• • • The Viasat cyberattack (2022) during the Ukraine conflict highlighted the vulnerabilities in satellite networks. Satellite jamming, hacking, and data breaches can disrupt not just civilian communication but also military and governmental operations.
    • In 2022, Russia launched a cyberattack on Viasat, disrupting satellite communication networks, a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in satellite infrastructure.

• High Cost of Deployment:  The cost of deploying satellite broadband is significantly higher compared to traditional fiber-optic networks. Satellite internet infrastructure requires substantial capital investment in launching and maintaining satellites, which leads to high operational costs.

• • • Cost Challenges: For instance, Starlink’s pricing in India is estimated at around ₹1,58,000 per year, making it unaffordable for many, especially those in low-income rural areas.

• Space Debris and Sustainability: The rapid growth of satellite constellations increases the amount of space debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). With thousands of satellites being launched into space, the risk of collisions and the Kessler Syndrome (where debris creates more debris, escalating the risks) increases significantly. The European Space Agency (ESA) has warned about the risks posed by satellite congestion in LEO, which could lead to hazardous space debris affecting satellite operations.

What Should Be the Way Forward?

• Strengthening Domestic Satellite Infrastructure: India must focus on developing its own LEO satellite network, in collaboration with both ISRO and private-sector companies. Integrating BSNL into satellite partnerships will ensure greater state control over satellite communication infrastructure.

• Legal and Regulatory Safeguards: India needs robust data localization laws to protect user data and ensure it is not subject to foreign laws. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) should amend regulations to include satellite broadband, ensuring data sovereignty and national security.

• Developing Affordable Pricing Models: To make satellite broadband affordable for all, the government should consider implementing tiered pricing systems and provide subsidies for remote villages, ensuring that even the most underserved regions have access to high-speed internet.

• International Cooperation for Global Space Governance: India should play an active role in global space governance discussions to set clear global standards for satellite data ownership and space traffic management. Collaborating with countries like France, Japan, and the U.S. will help India ensure space security and promote fair satellite practices.

• Diversification of Satellite Providers: India should avoid over-reliance on any single satellite provider, like Starlink. By exploring partnerships with other satellite companies like OneWeb, Amazon Kuiper, and Japan’s SoftBank, India can ensure competitive pricing and a more secure and resilient satellite internet ecosystem.