The current review reflects broader concerns around national security, data sovereignty, and regulatory oversight in India
In sum – what to know:
Security concerns – India’s Home Affairs Ministry is reportedly concerned about signal spillover, cybersecurity, and oversight of foreign satellite networks operating near border regions.
Regulatory scrutiny – Additional reviews could delay commercial launches for operators including Starlink while authorities seek stronger security and compliance assurances.
Domestic ambitions – As foreign operators face heightened scrutiny, Indian companies such as Jio are expanding satellite plans to strengthen sovereign space capabilities.
India is intensifying scrutiny of foreign satellite broadband operators just as domestic carrier Reliance Jio ramp up ambitions to build homegrown satellite infrastructure.
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly raised new concerns about foreign satellite networks, potentially creating additional hurdles for companies such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and SES seeking final approval to launch services in the country.
The heightened scrutiny comes as Jio said it was evaluating the deployment of its own low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, highlighting India’s growing focus on sovereign communications infrastructure.
According to Indian press reports, the ministry is concerned that signals from foreign-owned satellite networks could extend beyond India’s borders, creating potential national security risks.
The report said the MHA is also examining the possible effects of signal spillover on spectrum interference and cybersecurity. The concerns add another layer of scrutiny for international satellite operators seeking to enter the Indian market. Indian authorities have increasingly focused on the security implications of satellite communications services, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing tensions with China and Pakistan.
India has previously taken action on similar grounds. In November 2025, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) reportedly declined applications from Chinasat, APT Satellite (Apstar) and AsiaSat to provide satellite services in the country, citing national security considerations.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has also tightened oversight of the sector. In May 2025, the agency introduced additional security requirements for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license holders offering satellite broadband services.
Among the companies affected by the latest review are Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and SES. Starlink received a GMPCS license in June 2025 and has also secured authorization from IN-SPACe. The company has already signed distribution agreements with Indian carriers Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to support its planned rollout in India.
Eutelsat OneWeb also holds a GMPCS license, while SES operates through a satellite venture with Reliance Jio. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Project Kuiper is reportedly still awaiting a decision on its GMPCS license application.
In a recent X post, Starlink vice president of business operations Lauren Dreyer addressed the company’s regulatory engagement in India: “Starlink remains in active and productive discussions with the Government of India contrary to misleading stories based upon unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources.”
“We have worked with the Government through all of the required regulatory and compliance processes in a transparent and responsible manner. To align with India’s sovereign technology, regulatory, and security requirements, Starlink has setup a bespoke deployment model for India that further demonstrates our commitment to working within India’s strategic framework,” she added.
The executive also said that the firm remains fully committed to India and to working with the Government to bring Starlink’s services very soon to the Asian nation. The debate over foreign satellite operators comes as India’s domestic space industry continues to expand following recent sector reforms.
Speaking on the sidelines of India Space Congress 2026, SatCom Industry Association of India (SIA-India) president Subba Rao said the country has the potential to develop satellite constellations similar to those being deployed by international providers such as Starlink.
Rao said reforms have opened new opportunities for domestic companies to develop and operate satellites. According to the executive, a combination of government backing, private investment, and a growing startup ecosystem could help India play a larger role in the global space economy in the coming years.
Industry analysts expect the additional scrutiny to slow, but not derail, the rollout of foreign satellite broadband services in India.
Pradeepthi Kantipudi, associate project manager for telecom market data and intelligence at GlobalData, told RCR Wireless News the current review reflects broader concerns around national security, data sovereignty, and regulatory oversight.
“The current review goes beyond routine licensing to address core issues such as national security, data sovereignty, lawful interception, foreign ownership structures, and the extent to which Indian authorities can maintain effective oversight over satellite networks operating in the country,” the analyst said.
According to Kantipudi, Indian regulators are also assessing risks related to cross-border data flows and satellite operations during geopolitical crises.
“While companies such as Starlink have initiated discussions with the government, the heightened scrutiny indicates that regulators are seeking stronger assurances before granting final clearances,” said Kantipudi.
The analyst expects the review process to extend rollout timelines. “In practical terms, this could push commercial launches back by a few months. India has historically adopted a cautious approach toward critical communications infrastructure, and policymakers are unlikely to compromise on security requirements simply to accelerate market entry.”
Kantipudi also said stricter regulations could benefit operators with strong local partnerships and domestic infrastructure. “Companies backed by Indian groups, such as Bharti-supported OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s satellite venture with SES, may benefit from a regulatory environment that places greater emphasis on security compliance, local infrastructure, and sovereign control,” the analyst added.
However, the analyst noted that India is likely to remain reliant on international satellite networks in the near term despite growing domestic ambitions. “While India’s space sector is developing rapidly, domestic operators alone are unlikely to match the scale and capacity of global constellations over the next few years. As a result, the most realistic near-term outcome is a hybrid model where foreign satellite networks operating under stricter regulatory oversight partner with Indian telecom operators and infrastructure providers,” she added.
Meanwhile, at Reliance Industries’ recent annual shareholder meeting, Jio Platforms’ managing director Akash Ambani said the company is evaluating the deployment of its own low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation while also exploring partnerships with international satellite operators.
“We are also partnering with the leading global constellation providers by leasing satellite capacity, so that we can accelerate service availability while building our own long-term sovereign capability. This dual approach will enable Jio to meet India’s connectivity needs faster, while laying the foundation for the Indian satellite broadband platform of global scale,” the executive said.
Jio is also establishing ground stations in India to support services delivered through partner satellite networks and to support any future satellites launched by the company.
The announcement could eventually position Jio in direct competition with international satellite broadband providers such as Starlink. At the same time, the initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen India’s sovereign space capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign satellite infrastructure.
The satellite plans were unveiled as Jio Platforms formally filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in India. Media reports indicated the company could raise about $3.8 billion in what could become the country’s largest-ever share sale. The operator said the proposed listing would showcase India’s ability to build technology companies with global scale and capabilities.
Jio Platforms includes Reliance Jio Infocomm as well as the group’s cloud, enterprise networking and artificial intelligence businesses.
