India’s satellite internet race just got a little more breathing room. The government has extended the trial spectrum deadline for players like OneWeb (backed by Bharti) and Jio Satellite by six months—now valid till November. Why? Because meeting India’s tough security rules is turning out to be harder than expected. Let’s break it down.
Why the Extension?
These companies were supposed to wrap up testing and security checks by now, but they’re not quite there yet. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) handed out temporary spectrum last October for trials (not commercial use), but compliance is taking longer than anyone thought.
OneWeb, for instance, has apparently ticked off about 80% of the security requirements but needs more time for the rest. Jio Satellite, which is teaming up with SES for its JioSpaceFiber broadband, also asked for an extension. No surprises here—India’s security rules for satcom are no joke.
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What’s the Big Deal with Security?
India’s guidelines are strict for a reason: they want control over where data flows and how satellites are managed. Key hurdles include:
- Data Localization: Keep all user data within India.
- Local Monitoring Hubs: Ground control centers must be in India (so the govt can keep an eye on things).
- Lawful Interception: Yeah, they want access if needed (think national security).
For companies like OneWeb (using 634 low-orbit satellites) and Jio (relying on just 6 medium-orbit satellites), the tech differences mean compliance isn’t one-size-fits-all.
What’s Next?
- Final Spectrum Rules: The govt’s still deciding how to allocate spectrum (likely without auctions, per TRAI’s advice).
- Fees & Charges: TRAI suggested annual fees—4% of revenue or ₹3,500 per MHz, whichever hurts more. Urban users might pay an extra ₹500/year.
- Telcos vs. Satcom: Mobile operators (like Airtel, Jio’s own telecom arm) are pissed, calling the fees “too low” and unfair. Meanwhile, satcom firms argue their tech is totally different—apples and oranges.
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Bottom Line
This extension is a temporary fix, not a free pass. OneWeb and Jio need to lock in security compliance fast if they want to launch commercial services in India. And with Starlink now in the game (they just got their license), the pressure’s on.
