Overview
- Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said satellite services will launch only after operators meet national security demands from agencies.
- Final spectrum allocation awaits the Department of Telecommunications settling pricing, with TRAI having rejected proposals to lift usage charges to 5% from 4% and to levy a ₹500 urban connection fee.
- DoT will present its case to the Digital Communications Commission, which could decide or route the pricing question to the Cabinet.
- Security conditions include data localisation, lawful interception capability, and controls on international gateways, with demonstrations underway using provisional spectrum.
- On Vodafone Idea, DoT is still examining the firm’s relief request; the government already holds about 49% equity after converting roughly ₹37,000 crore of dues, and the minister reiterated a goal of maintaining a four-operator market with VIL serving about 210 million users and BSNL near 100 million.