TRAI Chief Announces Consultation on Spectrum Allocation for Satellite Telecom

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will commence the consultation process within a month to determine the terms and conditions for the administrative allocation of spectrum for satellite-based telecom services. This was announced by TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti at the India SatCom 2024 event organised by Broadband India Forum (BIF).

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India's satellite communications sector is thriving and has the potential to elevate the nation significantly, according to Lahoti. He mentioned that the Telecom Act includes provisions for assigning spectrum through an administrative process for specific satellite-based communication services. The government has sought TRAI's recommendations on this matter.

Consultation Paper and Spectrum Allocation

Lahoti stated that TRAI will soon release a consultation paper addressing pricing and other related issues. "We have received a reference from the government... it should take about a month's time to issue the consultation paper... you can expect it around the first week of September," he said during the event.

Satellite communications are crucial in today's era for enhancing broadband penetration and providing access to remote areas. Satellite systems, combined with terrestrial networks, can manage connectivity for vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and IoT devices in distant regions. They are also vital during disaster relief when terrestrial networks often fail.

Technological Innovations in Satellite Communications

New opportunities are emerging in satellite communications with advancements in high throughput satellites and software-defined satellites. Innovations in small satellites, nano satellites, and satellite IoT will drive next-generation capabilities, enabling connectivity across industries and supporting 5G and future 6G technologies.

Lahoti highlighted recent reforms that will help the satellite industry contribute effectively to the digital communication ecosystem. Based on a government reference, TRAI has published a consultation paper on the regulatory framework for service authorisation under the New Telecom Act 2023.

Simplifying Authorisations

TRAI is considering reducing the number of authorisations and simplifying terms to improve business ease. Various sections of the New Telecom Act related to satellite-based telecom services may influence service authorisation terms under the new legislation.

Rahul Vats, Director of Eutelsat OneWeb India and Co-Chair of BIF's Satcom Committee, shared that their company has conducted successful trials in remote locations, demonstrating strong speeds. "As OneWeb, we have two gateways powered on, one in Mehsana and one in Tuticorin... We are completely ready to roll out," he said.

Vats added that they have conducted trials with demo spectrum from WPC in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, ONGC rigs, and SBI locations in remote areas, achieving speeds over 200 Mbps. "That is the potential we are talking about when you look at the technology you have at hand," he noted.

The company is now technically prepared to meet communication needs during disasters. "We have actually done some trials with demo spectrum which we got from the WPC and we done trials in Ladakh, we have gone to Arunachal, we have gone to ONGC rigs, we have gone to SBI locations in remote parts of the country and we have been able to give more than 200 mbps speed," Vats said.

This initiative by TRAI aims to streamline processes and enhance India's satellite communication capabilities, ensuring robust connectivity even in challenging situations.