India is poised to emerge as one of the fastest-growing markets in the global satellite industry over the next five years, driven by its vast geography, rising demand for digital connectivity and supportive policy reforms, according to Isabelle Mauro, Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA).
Mauro said the global satellite industry views India as a market with immense long-term potential, particularly because millions of people living in remote and rural areas remain beyond the reach of conventional terrestrial telecom infrastructure. Satellite connectivity, she noted, offers an effective and economically viable solution for bridging this digital divide.
She explained that extending fibre-optic networks and mobile towers to sparsely populated or geographically challenging regions is often commercially unfeasible. In such areas, satellite communication can provide reliable broadband services, enabling access to education, healthcare, financial services and digital governance.
"India represents one of the most exciting opportunities for the global satellite sector. Its unique geography and large underserved population make satellite technology an essential complement to terrestrial telecom networks rather than a competing service," Mauro said.
Asked whether India could become one of the world's largest satellite broadband markets, Mauro expressed confidence in the country's long-term prospects. She pointed out that global players such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Amazon Kuiper are preparing to expand their presence in India, but emphasised that these companies represent only a small part of the industry's broader interest.
According to Mauro, GSOA has more than 70 member companies, many of which are actively exploring opportunities in the Indian market. She said the demand for satellite broadband, enterprise connectivity and telecom backhaul services is expected to grow rapidly as India accelerates digital inclusion initiatives and expands internet access to underserved regions.
Comparing the industry's current stage of development with the evolution of mobile telephony, Mauro said the satellite communications sector is at a transformational point similar to where the mobile industry stood nearly two decades ago.
"We see tremendous opportunities in satellite broadband and backhaul. The market is at a stage comparable to the early years of mobile telecommunications, where technological advances and increasing demand can drive rapid growth," she observed.
Mauro also highlighted the growing participation of Indian companies in the space sector, pointing to Reliance Jio's satellite ambitions as evidence of increasing domestic interest in satellite-based communication services. She said the emergence of strong Indian players alongside international companies could help create a vibrant and competitive satellite ecosystem in the country.
Sharing GSOA's recommendations for the Indian government, Mauro outlined three key policy priorities that she believes are essential for attracting long-term investment and ensuring sustainable growth.
First, she called for greater regulatory certainty and predictability. Since satellite projects require significant capital investment and have much longer operational life cycles than terrestrial telecom networks, companies need a stable and transparent policy environment to plan investments confidently.
Second, Mauro cautioned policymakers against simply adapting regulations designed for terrestrial telecom services to satellite communications.
She argued that satellite technology operates under entirely different technical, operational and business models, requiring regulations specifically tailored to the industry's unique characteristics.
"Satellite systems are fundamentally different from terrestrial infrastructure. Regulatory frameworks should recognise these differences instead of adopting terrestrial telecom rules without modification," she said.
Her third recommendation focused on spectrum pricing. Mauro urged the government to adopt a cost-recovery approach rather than viewing satellite spectrum primarily as a revenue-generating asset.
According to her, excessive spectrum charges could discourage investment and make satellite connectivity less affordable, ultimately undermining efforts to connect remote and underserved communities.
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"The objective should be to maximise connectivity, not simply maximise government revenue from spectrum. Affordable and predictable spectrum policies are critical for expanding digital access," she said.
Mauro also commented on India's growing capabilities in the space launch sector. Responding to a question on Skyroot Aerospace's progress in developing launch vehicles, she said India has the potential to become an increasingly attractive destination for global satellite launches.
She believes the rapid expansion of the global space economy will create sufficient demand for multiple launch providers worldwide. Speaking from the perspective of the European satellite industry, Mauro said the number of satellites expected to be launched over the coming decade is significantly higher than what the industry witnessed just 10 years ago, creating opportunities for efficient and cost-competitive launch providers from several countries.
"There is room for many successful players in the launch market. As satellite deployments continue to accelerate globally, companies that offer reliable and competitive launch services—including those from India—will have significant opportunities," she said.
With global demand for satellite connectivity rising rapidly and India opening its space sector to greater private participation, Mauro said the country is well positioned to play an increasingly important role across the satellite value chain—from manufacturing and launch services to broadband connectivity and next-generation space-based communications.
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