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Starlink, OneWeb and Jio face proposed 5% spectrum usage charge in India
Starlink, OneWeb and Jio face a proposed spectrum usage charge of 5% of adjusted gross revenue in India. All hold GMPCS authorisation but still need spectrum and final clearances for commercial launches; none has announced confirmed consumer pricing.
The numbers
Figures from ET Small Business,
| Starlink GMPCS authorisation: | June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Starlink authorised constellation: | 4,408 satellites |
| Starlink constellation authorisation sought: | nearly 30,000 satellites |
| Jio planned LEO network: | around 1,600 satellites |
| Jio target test flight: | September 2027 |
| Jio satellites planned by 2030: | 400–450 satellites |
| Jio full network completion target: | 2035 |
Why it matters to operators and investors
Make distribution or connectivity partnerships conditional on spectrum allocation, final clearances and viable commercial terms rather than treating GMPCS authorisation as launch readiness.
What to watch next
- Final notification adopting or changing the proposed 5% charge
- Spectrum assignments and final commercial-launch clearances
- Confirmed consumer tariffs from Starlink, OneWeb or Jio
- Launch announcements identifying consumer versus business offerings
- Jio announcements of satellite bundles
Likely next moves
Our read of what comes next — analysis, not reported by the source.
- Starlink is likely to hold back confirmed Indian consumer pricing until spectrum terms and launch clearances are clearer.
- OneWeb may emphasise business connectivity initially if the proposed charge makes price-sensitive consumer demand less attractive.
- Jio may explore bundled satellite offerings rather than compete solely through standalone consumer tariffs.
- India's telecom authorities are likely to face requests from Starlink, OneWeb and Jio for clarity on the charge's application before commercial launches.
The counter-case
The case against this reading — not reported by the source.
If adopted, a 5% charge on adjusted gross revenue could squeeze satellite operators’ margins or raise customer prices, weakening affordability. But treating this as an immediate retail-company catalyst overstates the evidence: the charge is proposed, launches remain conditional, and consumer pricing is unconfirmed.
The source
Published
First seen