The commercial rollout of satellite-based internet services in India is likely to face further delays as regulatory differences between the telecom regulator and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) remain unresolved, industry executives have indicated. The standoff, centred largely on spectrum pricing and related framework issues, could slow progress by another three to six months, according to a report in The Economic Times.

The delay stems from a lack of consensus between the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the DoT on key aspects of satellite spectrum allocation. While global satellite internet players and domestic stakeholders are keen to move ahead, the absence of regulatory clarity has emerged as a significant hurdle, preventing the finalisation of licences and commercial launch timelines.

Industry executives cited in the report said the process could take longer due to upcoming personnel changes within regulatory and government bodies, which may further stretch decision-making timelines. These transitions are expected to slow deliberations on pricing models and policy frameworks that are critical for enabling commercial operations.

Satellite internet services are seen as a key solution for expanding broadband connectivity in remote and underserved regions, where traditional terrestrial networks are either uneconomical or difficult to deploy. Several global players have already expressed strong interest in the Indian market, viewing it as a major growth opportunity due to its large population and increasing demand for high-speed data.