TRAI stands firm on satellite spectrum pricing framework

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has held its ground on spectrum fees, arguing that commercial satellite communication (satcom) service providers already pay annual spectrum charges of 4% of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), along with an additional levy of ₹500 per subscriber in urban areas.

Rural and remote users remain exempt from this additional charge. The regulator’s reconsidered recommendations, issued in response to a DoT back-reference dated November 12, reinforce Trai’s stance that Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) be subject to uniform and non-discriminatory pricing norms.