AgenciesThe telecom regulator has floated a discussion paper, seeking views on ways to make satellite communications more affordable for ordinary consumers in India. This comes at a time companies like Bharti Group-backed OneWeb and Elon Musk’s SpaceX Technologies have shown their interest to enter the country’s satellite internet space.
In a paper released Friday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has sought views on a slew of issues, including ways to boost mass adoption of satellite broadband services and creating an enabling environment to attract top dollars into the satcoms space.
It has also sought feedback on whether licensed national long distance (NLD) operators can be allowed to offer satellite services to connect the new wave of IoT (or internet of things) devices, and whether only some frequency bands should be available for such satellite-based IoT connectivity.
“The cost of satellite-based services is on the higher side in the country, due to which it has not been widely adopted by end-users,” Trai in its paper, inviting suggestions on “specific measures” that can be taken to make satellite-based services “more affordable” in India.
Deadlines for comments and counter-comments are April 9 and April 23 respectively.
Last September, ex-Trai chairman R S Sharma had called for relaxing the current satellite policy regulations in a manner that gradually drives down satellite broadband rates and makes them comparable with today’s low mobile broadband tariffs, and also brings down the cost of satellite service access terminals.
This, he had said, since satcoms is ideally suited to deliver fast broadband services in remote areas as the efficiency of the technology has been repeatedly proven while managing disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods in remote and inhospitable terrain.
Trai Friday said that while the most important characteristic to attract investment and new players into the satellite sector, is “ease of doing business,” it’s acutely aware about the long delays reported in procurement of satellite bandwidth through the existing processes, given the involvement of multiple agencies for seeking various clearances and approvals.
It added that things would be more convenient for applicants “if there is single window clearance for all kinds of satellite-based processes,” and suggested that all such processes and permissions ideally be made online, with minimum physical interface.
Trai has also sought stakeholder views on whether satellite service licensees should be allowed to obtain bandwidth from foreign satellites for providing IoT connectivity.
Noting that communication satellites use different frequency bands -- L-band, S-band, C-band, Ku-band, Ka band amongst others – the regulator has sought suggestions on whether any specific or all bands should be allowed for provisioning satellite-based IoT connectivity.
Incidentally, IoT-based apps delivered via satellite connectivity, typically, provide enterprises with new opportunities to boost operational efficiency, cut costs and also secure goods, personnel and assets.
The regulator has also invited suggestions around framing licensing norms for satellite-based connectivity for low bit-rate applications. The low bit-rate applications are sensor-based apps used in ATMs, traffic management, vehicle tracking and IoT devices amongst others.
In this context, Trai has sought feedback on whether a new licensing regime is required to offer satellite connectivity for low bit-rate apps, or if the existing regulations only need to be amended. In the event, stakeholders push for an all-new licensing regime, the regulator also wants suggestions around associated entry fees, licence fees, bank guarantees, spectrum usage charges and royalty fees.
In a paper released Friday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has sought views on a slew of issues, including ways to boost mass adoption of satellite broadband services and creating an enabling environment to attract top dollars into the satcoms space.
It has also sought feedback on whether licensed national long distance (NLD) operators can be allowed to offer satellite services to connect the new wave of IoT (or internet of things) devices, and whether only some frequency bands should be available for such satellite-based IoT connectivity.
“The cost of satellite-based services is on the higher side in the country, due to which it has not been widely adopted by end-users,” Trai in its paper, inviting suggestions on “specific measures” that can be taken to make satellite-based services “more affordable” in India.
Deadlines for comments and counter-comments are April 9 and April 23 respectively.
Last September, ex-Trai chairman R S Sharma had called for relaxing the current satellite policy regulations in a manner that gradually drives down satellite broadband rates and makes them comparable with today’s low mobile broadband tariffs, and also brings down the cost of satellite service access terminals.
This, he had said, since satcoms is ideally suited to deliver fast broadband services in remote areas as the efficiency of the technology has been repeatedly proven while managing disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and floods in remote and inhospitable terrain.
Trai Friday said that while the most important characteristic to attract investment and new players into the satellite sector, is “ease of doing business,” it’s acutely aware about the long delays reported in procurement of satellite bandwidth through the existing processes, given the involvement of multiple agencies for seeking various clearances and approvals.
It added that things would be more convenient for applicants “if there is single window clearance for all kinds of satellite-based processes,” and suggested that all such processes and permissions ideally be made online, with minimum physical interface.
Trai has also sought stakeholder views on whether satellite service licensees should be allowed to obtain bandwidth from foreign satellites for providing IoT connectivity.
Noting that communication satellites use different frequency bands -- L-band, S-band, C-band, Ku-band, Ka band amongst others – the regulator has sought suggestions on whether any specific or all bands should be allowed for provisioning satellite-based IoT connectivity.
Incidentally, IoT-based apps delivered via satellite connectivity, typically, provide enterprises with new opportunities to boost operational efficiency, cut costs and also secure goods, personnel and assets.
The regulator has also invited suggestions around framing licensing norms for satellite-based connectivity for low bit-rate applications. The low bit-rate applications are sensor-based apps used in ATMs, traffic management, vehicle tracking and IoT devices amongst others.
In this context, Trai has sought feedback on whether a new licensing regime is required to offer satellite connectivity for low bit-rate apps, or if the existing regulations only need to be amended. In the event, stakeholders push for an all-new licensing regime, the regulator also wants suggestions around associated entry fees, licence fees, bank guarantees, spectrum usage charges and royalty fees.
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3 Comments on this Story
 | Sanujit Roy3 days ago Satellite broadband should be integral of country development |
| Deva Devarajan3 days ago Absolutely necessary satellite based BB service here..affordability n cost process should be in accordance with TRAI regulations..yes, digging is a menace.. few yes ago jio came up with huge publicity Jiofiber..though initial performance was good due to intermittent digging by other agencies failed in our area..jio couldn't fix this issue n lost many clients like me..so best troubleb free alternative is satellite connected bb services |
| ARA3 days ago Good move, if this becomes viable and is made less costly. SEE, I use FTTH- Broadband. Often, some agency or other dig-ups and - it snaps. It takes a few days, if not weeks, 'to mend' the damaged fiber. If the satellite B/ band becomes a low-cost reality then it will be a boon ( no one will go up to dig SAT-Signal to create a break ? - ha ha ha??) But as per whatever I read, IoT itself will not become very popular at once ( cost) and B/band for general purposes, will find many users.- I welcome it. THIS may be in 2 parts - 1. A genl. purpose B/band and 2 . For the IoT usage - BOTH parts with own dedicated . specified spectrum of frequencies, to avoid over crowding/ interference/ sp. defence usage/ safe-guarding vital areas that also use B/ Bands with own DEDICATED spectrum of frequencies- to keep away cyber- attacks / or, liquidate any in shortest time. OR, pockets of usage with, sp. allotments of frequencies - can help in greatly minimizing such attacks , -- esp. of vital-areas. [ compartmentalize] Then use potent targeted, anti-cyber-attacks softwares. |