Satellite spectrum will be distributed administratively, not through auction: jyotiradiitya scindia

Union Minister jyotiradiitya scindia spoke at Lok Sabha during the parliamentary budget meeting in New Delhi. File | Image source: PTI

Union Communications Minister Jyotiradiitya M. Scindia held in Parliament on Thursday (3 April 2025), making it clear that satellite spectrum will be distributed administratively rather than through auctions, in line with global practice.

“We cannot auction assets that we cannot control in full. This applies not only to India, but to all countries on the planet,” Mr Scindia said.

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During the question hour of Rajya Sabha, the minister clarified the low-frequency fluctuations in the atmosphere where mobile technology dissipated, requiring spectrum auctions to be conducted to prevent signal interference. By contrast, satellite communications use higher frequencies to transmit directly through fixed antennas, just like lasers.

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“Today, no country is conducting auctions around the world. The United States’ Orbit Act prohibits auctioning satellite spectrum. In Europe, France, Germany – All countries are administratively allocating satellite spectrum. India only follows global norms.”

Mr Scindia added that the pricing of the spectrum will be determined by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the government has referenced.

“Once Trai defines this price, Spectrum will not discriminate against all providers,” he said.

The Minister noted that the International Telecommunication Union allocated satellite orbits and frequencies, and that each country only controlled the usage within its territory.

The minister is answering an inquiry raised by Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.