Space and communications
Our experience in the sector includes helping businesses secure regulatory approvals, structure transactions, conduct M&A, form complex and strategic joint ventures, and facilitate technology transfers. We have also represented businesses on matters, such as assisting global satellite companies in obtaining permissions and providing advice on the Indian legal framework relating to establishing and operating new technologies, including IoT devices using narrowband satellite spectrum, landing rights, spectrum and ground station services.
India’s space sector is in the midst of evolving norms and regulations targeted at boosting the space economy in the country. According to India Brand Equity Foundation, India’s space economy is likely to value USD 13 billion by 2025. India is also one of the top five space-faring countries in the world, with 44 spacecraft missions, 42 launch vehicle missions and five technology demonstrators from 2014 to 2022 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The government has been actively taking initiatives to enable the commercialisation of the space sector in the country and induce private investments in the domain. The Indian government aims to increase the country’s share in the global space market.
The government also established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), as a single-window, independent, nodal agency which functions as an autonomous agency in the Department of Space (DOS). IN-SPACe will be responsible to promote, enable, authorise and supervise various space activities, such as (i) the building of launch vehicles & satellites and providing space-based services; (ii) sharing of space infrastructure and premises under the control of DOS/ISRO; and (iii) establishment of new space infrastructure and facilities. The sector is witnessing a flurry of activities due to new technological development in the space sector, such as LEO satellites for space-based broadband services and satellite backhaul technology. Hence, as technologies and models evolve, businesses need to be agile to avoid regulatory pitfalls.
To help enterprises stay ahead of the curve, Trilegal deploys the best legal minds to guide them through the laws and regulations that govern the space and satellites industry. Our experience in the sector spans helping businesses secure regulatory approvals, structure transactions, conduct M&A, form complex and strategic joint ventures, and conduct technology transfers. We have also represented businesses on matters, such as assisting global satellite companies in obtaining permissions and providing advice on the Indian legal framework relating to establishing and operating satellites, new technologies, including IoT devices using narrowband satellite spectrum, landing rights, spectrum and ground station services. We have worked with leading commercial, government, and private equity/venture capital clients, and have served as legal counsel for businesses and policymakers. The firm has been at the forefront of major business developments in the space industry, one of them being advising NSS B.V, an affiliate of the Luxembourg-based satellite and terrestrial communication provider SES S.A., on all legal aspects of its joint venture with Jio Platforms in India.
Some of our clients in this space include-
- SES
- Intelsat
- Telenor Group
- Amazon Web Services
- AST & Science
