Trai issues paper on spectrum allocation mode for spacecom services

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has initiated the process to deliberate on the mechanism for allocating spectrum for space-based communication services. The regulator has listed out 54 questions covering different aspects of space-based communications and what should be the allocation methodology –auction or administrative assignment.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had written to Trai to assess the demand for space-based communication services and provide recommendations on the quantum of spectrum in each band required to be put to auction.

As it is envisaged to auction the space spectrum on an exclusive basis, Trai may explore feasibility and procedure of sharing the auctioned spectrum among multiple service licensees.

The regulator may provide recommendations on sharing of auctioned frequency bands between satellite networks and terrestrial networks also and what should be the criteria for sharing and appropriate interference mitigation techniques for sharing and coexistence.

The DoT had told Trai that since the service providers may require spectrum both in user link as well as in feeder link, the regulator may take inputs from the stakeholders and recommend the appropriate auction methodology so that the successful bidder gets spectrum for user link (shared with IMT in flexible) as well as feeder link.

In the present consultation paper, Trai has considered all the spectrum bands relevant for space-based communication services as indicated by DoT.