VIL has flagged liabilities of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore to the government, including spectrum and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues

Satellite communication (satcom) services in India will be rolled out only after companies obtain mandatory security clearances and spectrum allocation is finalised, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Sunday. Players such as Elon Musk-owned Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications are currently in the compliance phase, he added.

In an interview, Scindia said two key issues remain — adherence to security norms and finalisation of spectrum pricing. Satcom companies are required to meet conditions related to international gateways, data localisation and lawful interception to satisfy security agencies. The government has already allotted provisional spectrum to test and demonstrate compliance capabilities.

On spectrum pricing, Scindia said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) are working towards a resolution. Differences persist between the two bodies, particularly after Trai recently rejected several DoT proposals, including higher annual spectrum usage charges and per-connection fees in urban areas. The matter is expected to be placed before the Digital Communication Commission (DCC), which may seek Cabinet approval on the final framework.

Commenting on Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL), Scindia said the company’s request for relief is still under examination. “It is a work in progress within the Department of Telecommunications,” he said. VIL has flagged liabilities of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore to the government, including spectrum and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues.

Rejecting suggestions of repeated bailouts, the minister clarified that no fresh relief has been extended so far. The government has already converted dues of around Rs 37,000 crore into equity, resulting in a 49 per cent stake in the company.

Scindia said the government remains committed to maintaining competition in the telecom sector. “India has four robust telecom operators, something very few countries can claim,” he said, adding that sustaining a multi-player market is vital for consumer choice and pricing stability.