The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI ) recommended that fixed satellite services provided by companies like Starlink must pay 4 % spectrum usage fees on their adjusted gross revenues as well as a 500 annual fee per urban subscriber on Friday ( May 9, 2025 ). The suggestions bring India one step closer to having access to satellite internet companies like those offered by Starlink, owned by Elon Musk.
The TRAI disputed the existence of satellite internet as a competing or similar threat to “terrestrial” mobile and fixed line networks, citing the fact that satellite networks ‘ full bandwidth was much lower and spectrum could be split between satellite providers. It’s a comparable service, said TRAI chairwoman Anil Kumar Lahoti. There is no solid justification for examining this subject in the context of competitors.
The recommendations, which have been discussed since last year, come just two days after the Department of Telecommunications ( DoT ) sent a letter of intent to Starlink, which has been looking into the Indian market. Starlink now requires variety to be purchased in accordance with the terms that Jio has now recommended, with fees of 3 500 per megahertz of spectrum used. This will cost about$ 70,000 annually assuming Starlink can reach its maximum of 200 megahertz, as it can in some other nations.
The United States has been pressing nations all over the world to make it possible for Starlink to be included in global business discussions. This was not a element in the bank’s tips today, according to Mr. Lahoti. We have addressed the whole issue, only in light of the reference made by the DoT, according to Mr. Lahoti. The government deals with issues relating to the bilateral trade agreement, no TRAI, according to the statement.
The range task can be extended by two years and will only last five. A least 15-year accuracy of the band was requested by Starlink. Additionally, it will be applicable to telecom providers and fixed line internet companies, along with an 8 % license fee. Due to these costs and taxes, the price of Starlink solutions in Bhutan, whose local currency is equal to India’s, is likely to be substantially higher than the 4, 200 that is charged.
Subscribers has advised that variety be distributed in several bands in the 12–75GHz variety.  ,
Safety measures are handled by the DoT, but they were not included in the comments of TRAI. DoT’s already stringent safety standards were amended earlier this year, enforcing restrictions on satellite internet terminals that would render them inaccessible outside of India. The DoT will now go over the recommendations of TRAI and give a back-reference to the regulator if it disagrees with any of them, and then the government can start implementing range administration.
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