The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is set to finalize its recommendations on satellite communication spectrum allocation by December 15. Following TRAI’s recommendations, the government will review and decide on the allocation approach, potentially paving the way for satellite-based broadband services across India.
TRAI’s Satellite Spectrum Recommendations
According to reports, TRAI aims to submit its recommendations by mid-December, having considered feedback from an open house discussion, which raised additional points beyond the initial consultation paper.
Last week, TRAI held this discussion to explore terms and conditions for spectrum allocation specific to satellite-based commercial communication services.
Debate on Auction-Based Spectrum Allocation
The spectrum allocation issue has highlighted divergent views. Leading telecom operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel advocate for an auction-based allocation to ensure a level playing field for nationwide mobility. Reliance Jio has underscored the importance of applying consistent rules for similar services and has reportedly sought legal opinion on ensuring fairness in competition.
Advocacy for Administrative Allocation
Conversely, satellite companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper support an administrative allocation model. Starlink’s Director, Parnil Urdhwareshe, emphasized that Indian consumers should have the freedom to choose affordable, high-quality satellite broadband services, particularly for those in unserved areas.
The recent open house revealed these differing positions, as TRAI considers the best approach for satellite spectrum allocation.
