US Report Flags India’s Satellite & Internet Policies as Trade Barriers

A US trade report highlights India's DTH domestic satellite preference, mandatory ISRO routing, data localization, and localized internet shutdowns as significant trade barriers. It also notes concerns over politically motivated content takedown requests.

Indian Satellite Data Regulations

“When ISRO does permit making use of foreign satellite capability, the international satellite operator have to offer the capacity to ISRO, which in turn resells the capacity to the end-user with an additional charge,” it stated.

“Additionally, satcom suppliers have to devote to not transferring or decrypting Indian user information outside the country and submit a phased plan to source at the very least 20 per cent of their ground infrastructure in India within 5 years of business launch,” the record stated.

US Report on India’s Trade Barriers

The 2026 National Profession Price Quote Report on Foreign Trade Obstacles launched by the workplace of the United States Profession Rep (USTR), likewise flagged that because 2021 American firms have actually been subject to boosting number of takedown requests for material and user accounts pertaining to concerns that show up “politically inspired”.

An US report has flagged India’s preference for domestic satellites in DTH solutions and use localised web closures as obstacles to international profession. The Workplace of the USA Profession Rep stated restrictions on international satellite drivers, including necessary routing through Indian Space Research study Organisation’s business arm, limit market access and add costs.

The record kept in mind that DTH licensees need to procure satellite capacity through Antrix, the business arm of the Indian Room Study Organisation (ISRO), which in turn only permits international purchases if it does not have offered capacity on Indian satellites.

The record said that the US remains to motivate India to take on an “open skies” satellite policy to allow consumers the versatility to pick the satellite capacity carrier that ideal matches their service requirements and to promote market gain access to for international satellite company.

Internet & Satcom Security Directives

It noted that satcom providers are likewise called for to sign up and on a regular basis validate individual terminals, give thorough customer and device info to law enforcement, implement geo-fencing and unique tracking areas near boundaries, and stop unsanctioned access or location spoofing.

The report noted that localised web shutdowns limit accessibility to details and solutions, interrupting commercial procedures, and therefore weakening a cost-free and open internet and hampering trade in the digital economy.

The record additionally flagged the new safety and security directions provided by the Division of Telecommunications that require sat-com companies to ensure their systems can support real-time interception, block government-specified websites and customers, restrict solution in sensitive areas, and path all Indian individual web traffic and DNS (Domain Name System) resolution through facilities situated within India.

On satellite solutions, the report claimed the Ministry of Info and Broadcasting preserves a choice for Indian satellites to give capacity for direct-to-home (DTH) subscription television solutions.