India’s Department of Telecommunications prepares Cabinet memorandum on satellite communications spectrum usage fees, pending Cabinet approval

India’s Department of Telecommunications has prepared a Cabinet memorandum on spectrum usage fees for satellite communications (Satcom) services and is expected to submit it to the Cabinet for consideration and approval in the coming days. Previously, the Digital Communications Commission approved a spectrum usage fee of 5% of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), with a one-percentage-point reduction to 4% for government-designated hard-to-connect areas and remote border areas. Even after spectrum fees and administrative allocation are settled, companies must obtain security clearances, including from the Ministry of Home Affairs, before they can operate.