TRAI has cleared the way to launch satellite internet services in India. Recently, the telecom regulator asked industry stakeholders to provide suggestions for the process of spectrum allocation, pricing, etc. Now the regulator has asked to finalize recommendations regarding spectrum allocation by December 15. After this the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) will review these suggestions and a decision on spectrum allocation or auction will be taken. After this move of the government, satellite communication service can be started in India.
Finalization will be given by 15th December
According to a PTI report, related government sources say that TRAI is currently busy finalizing recommendations regarding spectrum allocation. It will be finalized by December 15 followed by an open house discussion on the consultation paper. TRAI last week held an open house discussion on the terms and conditions of satellite communication where spectrum assignment rules were discussed.
Private telecom operators Jio and Airtel raised questions at a debate held by TRAI last week on spectrum allocation and said that like mobile network spectrum, it too should be allocated through auction. Telecom operators, however, say they are not worried about competition. According to the report, Reliance Jio has also sought legal advice from a retired Supreme Court judge on the allocation of satellite spectrum so that there is a level playing field like terrestrial telecom spectrum.
However, the telecom regulator and the DoT have already clarified that spectrum allocation will be done only at the administrative level. Apart from Jio and Airtel, Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon's Project Quiper have also staked their bets on satellite communication services in India. Both these companies have advocated administrative network allocation.
Starlink has applied to start satellite service in India in October 2022 itself. The company also lists the cost of internet service on its website. However, Starlink's satellite internet service has started only after network allocation. The company has clarified that it is ready to complete compliance to start satellite communications in India. After the launch of satellite internet service, calling and internet data can be accessed even without mobile network.
