TRAI proposes mandatory domestic network control and traffic monitoring for satellite providers
India's telecom regulator has released new guidelines requiring satellite network providers to house control facilities and monitor traffic within the country to enhance national security.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a new regulatory framework on November 5, 2026, aimed at tightening control over satellite communication network (SCN) providers. The proposal mandates that all operational, maintenance, and control facilities for satellite networks must be physically located within India, extending to the management of user terminals.
The regulatory push is designed to ensure that satellite operators prevent their infrastructure from being used for unauthorized activities, including surveillance or electronic warfare. Operators will be required to maintain real-time traffic monitoring to prevent Indian data from being routed through unauthorized foreign gateways. Furthermore, any attempt to access the network via an unregistered user terminal must be logged and reported to the central government.
Under the proposed guidelines, the Indian government would gain oversight of satellite earth station gateways. Providers must submit detailed technical specifications and geographic coordinates for every gateway before deployment. The state reserves the right to mandate interference monitoring tests and order specific infrastructure adjustments to address security risks.
The recommendations shift the burden of compliance onto SCN providers, requiring them to implement robust authentication and traffic management systems. By enforcing a gateway-based architecture, the regulator aims to ensure that all satellite traffic involving Indian users remains subject to domestic oversight and security protocols.