New Delhi, October 8, 2025 – The inaugural Satcom Summit at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 marked a historic moment for India’s rapidly evolving satellite communication sector. Held at the prestigious Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi, the summit united key policymakers, industry leaders, and global space technology experts under one vision “Space Networks for Universal Connectivity.” The event emphasized how satellite-based communication can transform India’s digital infrastructure, bridge the connectivity gap, and drive sustainable growth for a digitally empowered future.
Table of contents
- A New Era of Satellite Communication in India
- Leadership Spearheading the Vision
- Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia: Satcom as a Backbone of National Progress
- Dr. Jitendra Singh: Public-Private Partnerships as Catalysts of Growth
- Dr. V. Narayanan: Expanding India’s Space Frontier
- Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd): Streamlining the Satcom Spectrum
- Industry Leaders on the Future of Satellite Internet in India
- Technological Innovation and Regulatory Alignment
- India Mobile Congress 2025: The Powerhouse of Digital Transformation
- The Road Ahead: Universal Connectivity Through Space
A New Era of Satellite Communication in India
India’s satellite communication (Satcom) industry is witnessing exponential growth, thanks to progressive government reforms, private participation, and international collaboration. The Satcom Summit underscored India’s ambition to become a global leader in space-driven connectivity, ensuring that even the most remote corners of the country benefit from the digital revolution.
The summit focused on topics such as non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), next-generation satellite systems, and the integration of Satcom with 5G and 6G technologies, aligning with India’s vision of a fully connected and inclusive nation by 2047.
Leadership Spearheading the Vision
The summit was inaugurated by an esteemed panel of national leaders and scientists who are shaping India’s space and communication roadmap.
- Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region
- Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State, Science and Technology
- Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space
- Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe
Their collective vision highlighted how India’s space ecosystem is not only scaling technologically but also evolving as a strategic pillar of national development and digital inclusion.
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia: Satcom as a Backbone of National Progress
In his keynote address, Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia emphasized that satellite communication is the lifeline of modern India’s infrastructure. He remarked,
“Satcom means doctor in every home and teacher in the remotest classroom. It is a national necessity and the backbone of resilient infrastructure. With the NISAR mission, we showcased that India is not merely participating we are innovating. India has become the world’s pace setter.”
His statement resonated with IMC’s 2025 theme, “Innovation for Transformative Change,” emphasizing that satellite networks will redefine healthcare, education, and emergency services in remote and rural India.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Public-Private Partnerships as Catalysts of Growth
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, shed light on how collaboration is reshaping India’s space landscape.
“India is creating a vibrant ecosystem for satellite communication through domestic innovation and international partnerships. Public-private collaborations are making the space sector more effective, efficient, and accessible,” he said.
He further added that Spacetech innovations have far-reaching implications for defence, atomic energy, and national security, positioning India as a strategic player in global space governance.
Dr. V. Narayanan: Expanding India’s Space Frontier
Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, outlined India’s remarkable achievements in space missions and the roadmap toward mass satellite deployment.
“India has come a long way since its first space mission. Today, we are capable of launching more than 100 satellites in a single mission. To make India a developed nation by 2047, we must build an extensive and resilient satellite network that ensures last-mile connectivity,” he stated.
ISRO’s recent achievements from Gaganyaan to Chandrayaan-3 serve as a testament to India’s growing capability and ambition to democratize access to space-based communication.
Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd): Streamlining the Satcom Spectrum
Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), emphasized the need for strategic policy reforms and efficient spectrum allocation.
“India’s satellite spectrum presents immense opportunities but requires proactive regulatory intervention. A balanced framework that encourages both public and private participation will drive innovation and maintain national security,” he said.
He urged for a flexible, industry-friendly approach that simplifies licensing, accelerates allocation processes, and supports the government’s Digital India 2.0 objectives.
Industry Leaders on the Future of Satellite Internet in India
Starlink: Bridging Rural and Remote Connectivity
Parnil Urdhwareshe, Director of Starlink Satellite Communications, highlighted India’s potential as a global model for rural broadband.
“India is home to world-class technologists and visionary policies. With support for NGSO systems and proactive initiatives from DoT and IN-SPACe, we are building a future where connectivity transcends geography,” he remarked.
Starlink’s expansion strategy aims to complement existing telecom services, ensuring seamless internet access across rural India.
Viasat India: Multi-Orbit Connectivity for the Modern World
Gaurav Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat India, discussed the advantages of adopting a multi-orbit network approach.
“About 80-90% of customer applications across sectors like defence, high-tech, and gaming perform seamlessly without latency issues. For real-time use cases, leveraging GEO, MEO, and LEO constellations offers the best results,” he said.
Viasat’s growth in aviation, maritime, and enterprise communications underscores the transformative role of multi-layered satellite systems in enhancing efficiency and reliability.
Technological Innovation and Regulatory Alignment
The Satcom Summit explored critical areas including:
- Next-generation satellite constellations for global broadband access
- Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) and space-based IoT infrastructure
- 5G and 6G integration with satellite backhaul for remote areas
- Sustainable and low-orbit satellite launches
- Spectrum management and orbital coordination
These discussions underscored that technological advancement must go hand-in-hand with policy agility, ensuring that innovation is both inclusive and secure.
India Mobile Congress 2025: The Powerhouse of Digital Transformation
The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, jointly organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), continues to be Asia’s largest digital technology forum.
With the theme “Innovation for Transformative Change,” the 9th edition of IMC 2025 is expected to attract:
- Over 1.5 lakh visitors from 150+ countries
- 400+ global exhibitors
- 800+ thought leaders and speakers
- 7,000+ delegates
The event will feature 1,000+ real-world innovations across 5G, 6G, AI, IoT, Semiconductors, Green Tech, Satcom, Smart Mobility, and more reinforcing India’s position as the hub of next-generation digital innovation.
The Road Ahead: Universal Connectivity Through Space
As India propels toward its “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision, satellite communication will play an instrumental role in connecting 1.4 billion citizens through robust, scalable, and affordable networks.
From telemedicine to remote education, disaster management to defence operations, Satcom will underpin the next phase of India’s digital evolution making connectivity a basic right, not a privilege.
With the combined efforts of the government, private sector, and research institutions, India is not just embracing the space revolution it is leading it.