The Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued stringent security regulations for satellite communication (satcom) services, mandating lawful interception capabilities and barring the transmission or processing of user data outside India’s borders.
The new rules come ahead of the commercial rollout of satcom services to the general public, with players like Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications gearing up to launch operations in India. The measures are aimed at preventing misuse of satellite services, particularly by criminal and terrorist elements.
Security Requirements for Satcom Operators
Under the new security framework, satcom service licensees must obtain security clearances for their gateway and hub locations within India. They must also ensure full compliance with lawful interception and monitoring requirements by integrating their systems with the centralized monitoring system (CMS) and integrated monitoring system (IMS) platforms.
Operators are required to establish real-time monitoring capabilities and demonstrate their system’s security functionalities to the DoT before commencing services.
Critically, service providers must create “special monitoring zones” within 50 kilometers of India’s international borders and coastal boundaries. These zones will allow security agencies to monitor user activities and safeguard national interests.
Furthermore, the rules mandate that user terminal data, including satellite phone activity and location information, must remain exclusively within India’s territory. Devices registered in India will not be allowed to connect to gateways outside the country.
Push for Domestic Infrastructure and Compliance
In addition to surveillance and data localization requirements, satcom providers must ensure that at least 20 percent of their ground network infrastructure is indigenized within a specified period after establishment.
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Service providers must also block access to websites that are restricted within India, following existing norms applicable to terrestrial telecom operators.
The guidelines emphasize that no Indian user traffic should be routed through any foreign gateway, point of presence (PoP), or satellite system not directly part of the approved constellation serving India.
Companies must submit a formal undertaking confirming that no decryption or duplication of Indian telecom data will occur outside Indian territory.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
While the government has already granted licences to Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications, Starlink is awaiting final approvals. Satcom services can commence after spectrum allocation by the authorities.
The new rules are largely based on recommendations under consideration by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and are expected to be ratified formally.
As India moves towards opening its skies for satellite connectivity, the government’s approach underscores its emphasis on national security, data sovereignty, and robust compliance from global and domestic satcom providers.
