Archive · 17 Sep 2025
DoT Raises Concerns Over TRAI's Satellite Internet Proposals
Imagine the government is figuring out how to price internet from satellites.
The TRAI, which is like a referee for the telecom industry, made some suggestions.
They said companies should pay a small percentage of their earnings and a yearly fee.
They also suggested an extra fee for people in cities and possibly subsidizing the satellite dishes people need.
The Department of Telecommunications, which is like the government's telecom team, isn't sure about some of these ideas.
They worry that it might be hard to tell who lives in a city versus the countryside, which would cause issues, and they want to charge the companies higher prices.
They are reviewing the proposals again.
DoT has sent back TRAI's proposals on satellite internet for review.
TRAI recommended a 4% spectrum charge on gross revenue for satellite internet companies.
TRAI proposed an annual fee of Rs 3,500 per MHz per customer.
TRAI suggested an additional Rs 500 per year for urban subscribers.
DoT expressed concerns over the urban subscriber differentiation and minimum spectrum fee.
- Who
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
- What
- DoT reviewed TRAI's recommendations on satellite internet spectrum and pricing.
- When
- Recent; proposals were made earlier in May.
- Where
- India
- Why
- DoT raised concerns about implementation challenges and pricing.
TRAI
DoT
Spectrum Pricing
TRAI
TRAI recommended a minimum spectrum fee of Rs 3,500 per MHz per year.
DoT
DoT is pushing for higher prices, especially for mobile satellite service.
Urban Subscriber Differentiation
TRAI
TRAI proposed an additional levy of Rs 500 for urban customers to encourage expansion into rural areas.
DoT
DoT is concerned about the difficulty in differentiating between urban and rural subscribers, potentially leading to misuse and compliance issues.
- DoT Action
- Sent back TRAI proposals for review
- TRAI Recommendations
- 4% of gross revenue as spectrum charges
- Spectrum Fee
- TRAI proposed Rs 3,500 per MHz per year
- Urban Subscriber Levy
- TRAI proposed an additional Rs 500 per year
- Satellite Terminal Subsidy
- TRAI recommended subsidizing terminals costing Rs 20,000-50,000