India finalises framework for satellite spectrum, gateways to support satcom rollout: Telecom Minister

Under BharatNet, 2.14 lakh Gram Panchayats are now service-ready, backed by over 693,000 km of optical fibre.

India has put in place the necessary frameworks for satellite spectrum allocation and gateway establishment, clearing the path for the smooth rollout of satellite internet services by players like Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in the July 2025 edition of the Department of Telecommunications newsletter.

“Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout,” Scindia said, signalling the government’s readiness to support next-generation connectivity solutions.

This move is expected to significantly boost rural and remote connectivity, aligning with the government’s broader digital inclusion goals.

Under BharatNet, 2.14 lakh Gram Panchayats are now service-ready, backed by over 693,000 km of optical fibre.

The minister also highlighted major milestones achieved over the past decade, including India’s emergence as a global leader in affordable mobile data, with rates as low as Rs 8.9 per GB, and near-universal 5G coverage, spanning 99.6 percent of districts, with 300 million users and the world’s highest per capita 5G data usage.

On cybersecurity, he noted that over 4.22 crore fraudulent numbers had been disconnected, and AI tools had detected 78 lakh threats, with 1.35 crore spoofed calls blocked within 24 hours.

India has also made significant gains on the global stage, rising to 49th place in the Network Readiness Index and securing a Tier 1 rank in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index with a score of 98.49 out of 100.

Scindia reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a “digitally empowered, secure, and inclusive India, future-ready and globally respected.”

Investments under the Production Linked Incentive scheme have touched 74,305 crore, resulting in 785,391 crore in sales and 28,000 jobs. Foreign Direct Investment has nearly tripled from $282 million to $710 million, he said.