The Government of India took a policy decision on August 26, 1998 for introduction of GMPCS Service in the country. According to this decision, Indian companies with upto 49% foreign equity participation were to be issued licenses on a non-exclusive basis subject to clearance of individual proposals with security angle. A provisional license was issued on 28.10.1998 to M/s. Iridium India Telecom Limited. However, the service ceased to operate from March 18, 2000 due to non-availability of satellite infrastructure from Iridium LLC, US.

Policy for GMPCS in terms of NTP-99 has been announced on 2.11.2001.