India, March 7 -- As India prepares for the rollout of satellite communication (satcom) services soon, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has now mandated the testing and certification of satellite equipment such as gateways and user terminals.

In a gazette notification dated February 25, the DoT included non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) user terminals and NGSO integrated gateway in the list of telecom equipment that has to be certified. The new directions will come into effect 180 days after the issuance of the notification.

As such, post August 2025, only certified equipment can be used and imported by companies for offering satcom services in India.

". No person shall import, sell, distribute or use the Telecommunication Equip...