India’s D2C satellite race faces power, pricing, and regulatory hurdles

Direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite connectivity is emerging as the next major race in India’s satcom ecosystem, driven by its potential to connect remote and underserved regions directly using standard mobile phones. At India Mobile Congress 2025, Jio’s Prafulla Kumar described D2C satellites as a technology-neutral way to close connectivity gaps, particularly in areas crucial for disaster management and rural development. However, he highlighted significant technical hurdles: current low-cost mobile devices in rural India often lack the power needed for reliable D2C satellite links, especially for voice and high-data applications. Link budget calculations—the power required to sustain reliable connections—remain a limiting factor for broader adoption in mass-market handsets.

There is also a spectrum dilemma. Some operators propose using existing terrestrial bands for D2C, which could enable quick device compatibility but risks interference and creates coverage gaps. The alternative, shifting to L-band, S-band, or MSS spectrum, faces the challenge of a non-existent device ecosystem at scale and affordable price points. Regulatory frameworks for both D2C and direct-to-device (D2D) services remain undeveloped; as a result, companies such as Viasat and BSNL, despite having proven the technology in local trials, are unable to roll out commercial offerings widely until new spectrum and D2D policies are finalized. Viasat expects initial satellite messaging for emergencies and industrial connectivity to lead the way, followed by eventual voice and data once ecosystem maturity and regulations allow.

Industry leaders stress the need to target satellite service prices to India’s low-cost, price-sensitive market. IN-SPACe’s consultation with the satcom sector suggests a target price near ₹10 per GB to make satellite data a practical alternative to terrestrial broadband. Hughes Communications India’s CEO, Shivaji Chatterjee, advocates for highly flexible pricing models—ideally around ₹250–₹500 per month in rural areas, and ₹500–₹1,000 in urban markets—relying on financing innovations and potential government support. He believes international pricing strategies are unlikely to succeed in India without major adaptation. The Broadband India Forum suggests government incentives, such as those via Digital Bharat Nidhi, could help ensure satellite remains affordable, recommending that spectrum usage charges be kept minimal for D2C services.

Meanwhile, India faces a strategic debate: whether to develop a sovereign LEO satellite constellation for national broadband coverage. While ISRO has mapped a possible 140-satellite LEO network for urban areas, Eutelsat OneWeb’s Neha Idnani argued that the global nature and high cost of LEO systems mean national networks are rarely cost-effective in isolation. OneWeb, Jio-SES, and Starlink are opting for global-to-local partnership models to balance economies of scale and Indian regulatory requirements. Ultimately, the next year will be critical for regulatory clarity, spectrum assignment, and business model evolution as major players—Jio (in partnership with Starlink and SES), Bharti OneWeb, and Viasat—prepare for wide-scale satellite broadband and D2C launches in India.​

CT Bureau