What discounts are satellite providers in India eligible for?

Satellite internet providers in India may receive a 1% discount on the 5% annual spectrum usage charge if they connect customers in hard-to-reach areas like borders, hills, and islands.

How is the Indian government incentivizing satellite providers to serve remote regions?

The Department of Telecommunications is considering a discount-based model to encourage satellite providers to focus on connecting remote regions, in contrast to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's previous recommendation of a ₹500 per user charge for serving urban areas.

What is the goal of the Indian government's efforts to support satellite broadband?

The government's goal is to bridge the digital divide in India and ensure that even the most isolated communities have access to high-speed internet, as satellite technology can provide connectivity to areas that are difficult to reach through traditional infrastructure.

Home / Business and Economy / Satellite Providers Offer Discounts to Connect India's Remote Regions

Satellite Providers Offer Discounts to Connect India's Remote Regions

17 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Satellite internet providers may get 1% discount on 5% annual spectrum charge
Discount applies if 5% of customers are from hard-to-reach areas like borders, hills, islands
Telecom department seeks to incentivize serving remote areas over urban centers

Satellite Providers Offer Discounts to Connect India's Remote Regions

As of November 17, 2025, India's satellite broadband market is experiencing a boom, and the government is taking steps to ensure that even the most remote areas of the country can access these services. According to three people familiar with the matter, satellite internet providers such as Starlink, OneWeb, Jio Satellite, and others are likely to receive a 1% discount on the 5% annual spectrum usage charge if a certain percentage of their customers are located in hard-to-connect areas.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is currently examining the possibility of implementing this discount-based model, which would replace the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai) previous recommendation of a ₹500 per user charge for serving urban areas. The DoT believes that the discount-led approach would be more effective in incentivizing satellite providers to focus on connecting remote regions, where traditional mobile networks have struggled to reach.