No auctions for satcom firms, however will drive ‘level-playing area’ with incumbent telcos: Authorities

NEW DELHI: Amidst intense lobbying by incumbent telecom operators — led by Reliance Jio and Airtel — towards administrative allocation of spectrum to multi-national satcom suppliers like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Mission Kuiper, govt on Wednesday mentioned it is going to guarantee a “level-playing area” between the 2 applied sciences.
“Spectrum assigned administratively are additionally chargeable and therefore contribute to income. The Division of Telecom has sought suggestions of Trai on phrases and situations of spectrum task together with spectrum pricing in respect of licensees intending to supply satellite-based communication companies whereas accounting for degree taking part in area with terrestrial entry companies,” Minister of State for Telecom Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar mentioned in Lok Sabha.
Sekhar additionally mentioned that security-related restrictions and checks are in place to make sure that satcom companies are usually not utilized by non-state actors or hostile nations towards India. “DoT grants authorisations underneath Unified License (UL) for offering satellite-based business communication companies. Satellite tv for pc-based communication licenses are granted to any applicant, topic to acceptance and in compliance of the relevant licensing phrases and situations, together with safety situations of India.”
Terrestrial community suppliers have been demanding that govt present spectrum to satcom gamers solely by means of auctions, a route which is remitted for them. This when the govt. had determined to cast off auctions for satellite tv for pc gamers with the brand new telecom legislation offering for administrative allocation, however at a pre-announced pricing.
Starlink’s software has been pending with govt for over two years, and the important thing considerations are round security-related points. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia mentioned final month that the govt. is “very happy” to see Starlink enter India, however after complying with the mandated procedures and situations, together with addressing “safety considerations” raised by the authorities.
“They should adjust to all of the situations. So, you must have a look at it from a safety perspective, from ensuring that each one the safety considerations are addressed. So, after they try this, then we’ll be very happy to present it (approval),” the Minister — who has additionally emphasised that satcom firms don’t have to undergo spectrum auctions — had mentioned.
On whether or not govt has any particular considerations relating to the appliance filed by the American firm, he mentioned, “Let me repeat. There’s a particular format. It’s essential to verify all of the containers, proper? Whenever you’ve checked all of the containers, you may get the license. There isn’t any if, however, why, when, and proper.”