Mumbai: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a directive to satellite TV channels and teleport operators to obtain authorization from the government-backed Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) for using foreign satellite capacity for broadcasting services.

In an advisory dated 10 July, the MIB stated that existing arrangements for using capacity in C, Ku, or Ka frequency bands from foreign satellite operators can be extended until 31 March 2025.

"Starting from April 1, 2025, only IN-SPACe authorized non-Indian Geostationary Orbit (GSO) satellites and/or Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) satellite constellations will be permitted to provide their capacity for space-based communication and broadcast services in India," the advisory states.

The ministry mentioned further that applications for authorisation must be submitted through the IN-SPACe website by an Indian entity, which could be an Indian subsidiary, a joint venture/collaboration, or an authorized dealer/representative of the foreign satellite operator in India.

NewSpace India has leased transponder capacity in C, Ku, and extended C bands from both Indian and foreign satellites.

As of March 2023, the Department of Space reported that 18 communication satellites were operating over India, equipped with communication transponders in C-band, Extended C-band, Ku-band, Ka/Ku band, and S-band.

About 70 transponders in Ku-band and High Throughput Satellite (HTS) capacity of 1.6 GHz were leased from international satellite operators, while an additional 40 transponders in C-band were directly leased by broadcasters for TV uplinking.