GMPCS licence
Also called: Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite · Topic: Infrastructure: Transport, Communications and Energy · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A GMPCS licence (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) is permission from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for a company to sell satellite-based communication services in India. These services include satellite broadband and mobile links. They reach users directly from satellites, without towers or cables. The licence only decides who may sell the service to Indian customers. It does not give the company any spectrum, which means the radio frequencies its satellites need. Spectrum is a separate step. The DoT decides on it after getting the views of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), which only advises.
Example
In June 2025, the DoT gave Starlink a GMPCS licence. Starlink is SpaceX's satellite internet service, which uses low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. Its best uses are in border villages, on ships and in disaster zones. Even with the licence, Starlink could not launch commercially until it also got spectrum. In April 2024, the DoT had asked TRAI how satellite spectrum should be allocated.
Don't confuse with
- Spectrum assignment: the GMPCS licence lets a company sell the service. Spectrum assignment gives it the frequencies it needs to run the service. Holding a licence does not mean the service has started.
- Licensing body: the DoT issues the GMPCS licence. TRAI only gives advice, and ISRO has no role in licensing.