DoT Finalising Satellite Spectrum Allocation Rules Soon: Report

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is reportedly looking to finalise the satellite spectrum allocation rules soon and share the draft for comments with the shareholders. 

As per ET’s report, citing sources close to the matter, the spectrum is likely to be shared on a first-come-first-serve basis.

As satellite spectrum is a shared resource, late entrants will also get the same spectrum. However, curbing the interference will be the key issue, the source added.

This comes on the back of recommendations given by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on pricing of satellite spectrum. After sharing the draft for comments, DoT’s highest decision making body, Digital Communications Commission (DCC) will take the final proposal to the Cabinet for approval.

Earlier this month, DoT issued a new set of Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) guidelines for existing licence holders like Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelsat Oneweb, Reliance-backed Jio-SES, as well as Elon Musk-owned Starlink and Amazon Kuiper, that have applied for licences. 

Under this, the satcom players will have to adhere to 29 new security norms to acquire satellite communication (satcom) licences. All players will have to create provisions for blocking of websites, collection of metadata, lawful interception facilities, among others. 

Besides, the rules also mandates the companies to provide  real time location data/tracking of user terminals (when required),  transitioning to indigenous satellite navigation system NavIC by 2029, and more.

These guidelines came at the back of rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

It is essential for DoT to finalise the draft soon to avoid wastage of resources. Last month, the Indian Space Association (ISpA) and the Broadband India Forum (BIF) wrote separate letters to the regulator, urging it to expedite the process as the delay in spectrum allotment is resulting in wastage of satellite resources, which have limited life space of 5-7 years.

The Satellite Licence Race 

The recent development comes at a time when DoT gave a conditional nod to Elon Musk’s Starlink. The company received the Letter of Intent (LoI) from the regulator. However, the final clearance will only be given when Starlink complies with all the licensing requirements and security protocols laid out by the DoT.

It is pertinent to note that DoT has only given the GMPCS licence to Mukesh Ambani’s Jio SES and Sunil Mittal’s Eutelsat OneWeb.