Satcom Launch Hinges on Security, Pricing; Vodafone Idea Relief Pending: Scindia

• Satcom services in India await security approvals and final spectrum pricing, says Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
• Operators like Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio SGS must meet security conditions including international gateway approvals and data localization.
• Spectrum pricing is under discussion between DoT and TRAI, with TRAI rejecting some DoT recommendations; DCC to decide next steps.
• Provisional spectrum has been allotted for technical trials, but full commercial allocation requires compliance.
• Government is still considering relief for Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) amidst its heavy debt, having already converted ₹37,000 crore dues into a 49% equity stake.

Why It Matters: India's satcom rollout depends on security compliance and spectrum pricing; Vodafone Idea relief is ongoing.