DoT releases Draft Rules For Spectrum Allocation For Satellite Firms, MTNL, BSNL

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has come up with draft rules governing the administrative allocation of spectrum under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, setting out eligibility criteria, spectrum charges and assignment conditions for services that receive airwaves without auctions.

The proposed framework is not applicable for satellite broadband operators such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio’s satellite internet venture, as it does not address non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite systems that support low-Earth orbit broadband services.  

Instead, the draft rules primarily apply to conventional satellite communication services, including VSAT operators, DTH providers, teleports, broadcasters, and BSNL’s satellite phone services. The framework also covers spectrum assignments made to government-owned telecom operators such as BSNL and MTNL, as well as other government entities.

Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, such spectrum allocations will be subject to defined eligibility criteria, prescribed usage charges, and specific assignment conditions.

The DoT has invited feedback from industry stakeholders over the next 30 days before finalising the framework.

Meanwhile, India's telecom and broadband sector continues to witness steady growth. The number of broadband subscribers increased from 1,059.05 million at the end of February 2026 to 1,065.88 million by the end of March 2026, reflecting the ongoing expansion of digital connectivity across the country.

Competition in the telecom market also remains strong, with 14.63 million mobile number portability (MNP) requests recorded during March 2026. Active wireless subscribers, measured through peak Visitor Location Register (VLR) data, reached 1,185.60 million, highlighting the scale and reach of India's mobile network ecosystem.

Public sector telecom operators, including BSNL, MTNL, and Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited (APSFL), accounted for nearly 19% of the wireline market, maintaining a notable presence despite the dominance of private-sector players.