According to anonymous sources, IN-SPACe has rejected applications from ChinaSat, APT Satellite (Apstar), and AsiaSat to provide satellite services in India.
While AsiaSat has been operating in India through satellites like AsiaSat 5 and AsiaSat 7, IN-SPACe has declined approval for services on its AsiaSat 6, AsiaSat 8, and AsiaSat 9 satellites, effectively blocking new or extended operations. This move follows the implementation of new regulations last year requiring foreign satellite operators to obtain authorisation from IN-SPACe to operate in India.
As a result, broadcasters such as JioStar and Zee, along with teleport operators, are shifting their traffic away from AsiaSat to other satellite providers. Zee has already migrated its traffic from AsiaSat 7 to alternative satellites like Intelsat-20 and ISRO’s GSAT series, including GSAT-17 and GSAT-30.
AsiaSat’s representative, Rajdeepsinh Gohil, managing director of Inorbit Space — AsiaSat’s authorised partner in India — confirmed ongoing discussions with IN-SPACe to extend their authorisation for AsiaSat 5 and AsiaSat 7, which expire in March 2026. Gohil emphasised AsiaSat’s long-standing presence in India, operating for over 30 years and adhering to all regulatory requirements.
The shift reflects India’s evolving stance on space sector security, which has shifted focus from capacity constraints — due to high demand for satellite capacity — to safeguarding national interests, especially concerning Chinese entities. India’s previous openness to foreign satellite providers, including Chinese firms, was driven by capacity shortages, but recent policies prioritise national security.
Meanwhile, the capacity gap is being addressed through the rise of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband services from providers like Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Amazon Kuiper. These companies are awaiting final government approval to operate in India, promising to diversify and increase satellite capacity in the country.
