TRAI has cleared the way for launching satellite internet service in India. Recently, the telecom regulator had asked the industry stakeholders to give suggestions for the process of spectrum allocation, pricing etc. Now the regulator has asked to finalize the recommendations related to spectrum allocation by December 15. After this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will review these suggestions and a decision will be taken regarding spectrum allocation or auction. After this step of the government, satellite communication service can start in India.
Will be finalized by 15th December
According to the PTI report, government sources related to this say that TRAI is currently busy finalizing the recommendations regarding spectrum allocation. It will be finalized by December 15, after which an open house discussion will be held regarding the consultation paper. TRAI last week held an open house discussion on the terms and conditions of satellite communication, in which the rules for assigning spectrum were discussed.
Jio and Airtel raised questions
In the discussion held by TRAI last week regarding spectrum allocation, private telecom operators Jio and Airtel raised questions and said that like mobile network spectrum, it should also be allocated through auction. However, telecom operators say that they are not worried about competition. According to the report, Reliance Jio has also taken legal advice from a retired judge of the Supreme Court regarding the allocation of satellite spectrum, so that like the terrestrial telecom spectrum, there can be a level playing field.
However, the telecom regulator and DoT have already made it clear that the allocation of spectrum will be done at the administrative level only. Apart from Jio and Airtel, Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon Project Kuiper have also bet for satellite communication service in India. Both these companies have advocated for administrative network allocation.
Starlink made preparations
Starlink had applied to start satellite service in India in October 2022 itself. The company has also listed the pricing of internet service on its website. However, Starlink's satellite internet service has started only after the network allocation. The company has made it clear that it is ready to complete the compliance to start satellite communication in India. After the launch of satellite internet service, calling and internet data can be accessed even without mobile network.
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