Amid Ambani vs Musk tussle, Scindia defends govt's move to allocate spectrum for satellite services, says...

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has defended the government’s decision to allocate spectrum for satellite services rather than auction it, emphasising the need to provide users with more options. “My job as telecom minister is to ensure you have as many choices as possible,” Scindia told Reuters, highlighting that this approach aligns with global trends.

According to reports, the decision has sparked opposition from Reliance Jio, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, which prefers an auction system. Reliance argues that administrative allocation could give foreign players like Elon Musk’s Starlink an unfair advantage, potentially impacting its market share.

Addressing these concerns, Scindia stressed the importance of adaptability in the fast-evolving tech landscape. “Technology is never constant,” he remarked, adding that companies must evolve to stay relevant. He also pointed out the limitations of satellite services, such as their reliance on a clear line of sight to the sky, which makes them less effective for indoor use compared to terrestrial networks.

India’s telecom market is highly competitive, with over 942 million users and major players like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea vying for dominance. Meanwhile, the satellite broadband market is projected to grow to $1.9 billion by 2030, attracting global giants like Starlink and Amazon Kuiper.

Scindia confirmed that licence applications from Starlink and Amazon Kuiper to offer satellite broadband services in India are currently under review.