DoT spectrum allocation draft 2025: BSNL, MTNL, satellite services covered
Synopsis
India's DoT has unveiled a draft spectrum allocation framework for BSNL, MTNL, and traditional satellite services — but conspicuously left out Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio's satellite broadband arm. With a 30-day consultation window open, the rules signal regulatory progress for legacy operators while the fast-growing satellite internet sector waits for its own policy roadmap.
Key Takeaways
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released draft spectrum allocation rules on 22 June under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 .
The framework covers BSNL , MTNL , VSAT operators, DTH platforms, teleports, broadcasters, and satellite phone services.
Satellite broadband operators — including Starlink , Eutelsat OneWeb , and Reliance Jio 's satellite internet business — are excluded and await a separate policy framework.
Stakeholders have 30 days to submit comments before the rules are finalised.
India's broadband subscriber base reached 1,065.88 million at end of March 2026 ; active wireless subscribers stood at 1,185.60 million .
Public sector carriers BSNL , MTNL , and APSFL together hold nearly 19% of the wireline market.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released draft rules for the administrative allocation of spectrum under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, laying down eligibility criteria, spectrum charges, and assignment conditions for a range of telecom and satellite communication services. The framework, opened for public consultation on 22 June, primarily targets traditional operators — but notably excludes satellite broadband providers.
What the Draft Framework Covers
The proposed rules apply to Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) operators, Direct-to-Home (DTH) platforms, teleports, broadcasters, and satellite phone services operated by state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Spectrum administratively assigned to government-owned carriers BSNL and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) also falls within the framework's ambit.
Allocation under the administrative route will be governed by specific eligibility conditions, prescribed charges, and assignment terms in line with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, according to the draft document.
Satellite Broadband Operators Left Out
Notably, the framework does not extend to satellite broadband operators — including Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Reliance Jio's satellite internet business. These players will have to await a separate policy framework for spectrum allocation and pricing, leaving a critical segment of the sector in regulatory limbo. This comes amid intensifying competition in the satellite broadband space, with multiple global and domestic players racing to build subscriber bases in India.
Stakeholder Consultation Window
The DoT has invited comments from stakeholders on the draft rules over the next 30 days before finalising the framework. The consultation period signals that the rules remain subject to revision based on industry feedback.
India's Telecom Sector at Scale
The draft arrives against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding digital connectivity landscape. Broadband subscribers rose from 1,059.05 million at the end of February 2026 to 1,065.88 million at the end of March 2026. Active wireless subscribers, based on peak Visitor Location Register (VLR) data, stood at 1,185.60 million.
The sector also recorded 14.63 million mobile number portability (MNP) requests during March 2026, reflecting intense competitive churn. Public sector companies — including BSNL, MTNL, and APSFL — collectively held nearly 19% of the wireline market share.
What Comes Next
Once the consultation window closes, the DoT is expected to finalise the administrative allocation framework. A separate regulatory pathway for satellite broadband spectrum — covering operators such as Starlink and Jio's satellite arm — remains pending, and its timing will be closely watched by the industry.
Point of View
But the deliberate exclusion of satellite broadband operators is the more consequential signal. With Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio's satellite arm all jostling for position in what could be India's next connectivity frontier, the absence of a pricing and allocation framework for them is not a technicality — it is a policy bottleneck. India's broadband subscriber numbers are impressive, but rural and underserved coverage still depends heavily on satellite solutions. The longer the regulatory vacuum persists for satellite broadband spectrum, the more it delays the very digital inclusion the government publicly champions.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the DoT's draft spectrum allocation framework cover?
The draft covers administrative spectrum allocation for BSNL, MTNL, VSAT operators, DTH platforms, teleports, broadcasters, and satellite phone services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. It sets out eligibility criteria, spectrum charges, and assignment conditions for these categories.
Why are Starlink and other satellite broadband operators excluded from the draft?
The draft framework is limited to traditional satellite communication services and government-owned telecom carriers. Satellite broadband operators such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Reliance Jio's satellite internet business are excluded and will be governed by a separate policy framework that is yet to be finalised.
How long is the public consultation window for the draft rules?
The DoT has invited stakeholder comments over a 30-day period from the date of release. After the consultation closes, the department is expected to finalise the administrative allocation framework.
What is the current state of India's broadband and wireless subscriber base?
India's broadband subscribers grew from 1,059.05 million at end-February 2026 to 1,065.88 million at end-March 2026. Active wireless subscribers based on peak VLR data stood at 1,185.60 million, with 14.63 million MNP requests recorded in March 2026 alone.
What share of the wireline market do public sector telecom companies hold?
Public sector companies — BSNL, MTNL, and APSFL — collectively held nearly 19% of India's wireline market share, according to the latest available data cited in the draft framework context.
