The regulatory guidelines will provide businesses with clarity regarding the timeline for initiating their operations in India for high-speed and low-latency internet services
The burgeoning satellite internet (SatCom) sector, a critical enabler for India’s ‘Digital India’ and universal connectivity ambitions, stands at a crucial juncture. As global players like Starlink, OneWeb (now Eutelsat OneWeb), and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, alongside domestic initiatives, gear up to bridge the digital chasm, the much-anticipated recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) are expected to be pivotal. These recommendations must facilitate the advancement of a clear, robust, and forward-looking satellite internet policy, addressing current ambiguities and fostering an environment conducive to investment, innovation, and equitable access.
- Methodology: The debate between administrative allocation (favored by SatCom players citing global norms and capital-intensive nature) and auction (preferred by terrestrial mobile operators for a level playing field and revenue generation) needs a decisive, evidence-based resolution from TRAI.
- Pricing: A transparent and reasonable pricing mechanism, whether through auction or administrative fees, is essential to ensure viability without discouraging investment.
- Bands: Clear guidelines on the use of specific frequency bands (Ka, Ku, V-band, Q-band) and mechanisms for efficient sharing and coordination are paramount.
- Simplification: A streamlined, single-window clearance mechanism for various licenses (GMPCS, VSAT, ISP, NLD) or a unified/converged license for SatCom services would reduce complexity and entry barriers.
- Scope: Defining the scope of permissible services, including direct-to-device (D2D) communication and IoT applications via satellite.
- While 100% FDI is permitted in the satellite sector, procedural clarity for landing rights, gateway establishment, and adherence to security imperatives needs to be unambiguous.
- Ensuring a level playing field for both global and domestic players.
- Policies encouraging seamless integration with terrestrial networks (mobile and fixed broadband) to create a truly ubiquitous connectivity fabric.
- Standards for quality of service (QoS), latency, and data speeds to protect consumer interests.
- Clear protocols for lawful interception, data localization (if applicable), and cybersecurity in line with national security interests, without being overly restrictive.
- Spectrum: A hybrid approach, perhaps administrative allocation for certain bands critical for global satellite constellations with a transparent pricing formula, and auctions for others where feasible, could be considered. Technology neutrality should be a guiding principle.
- Licensing: Suggesting a simplified, technology-agnostic, and time-bound licensing regime. A regulatory sandbox for innovative SatCom applications could also be proposed.
- Competition and Investment: Frameworks to promote fair competition, attract investment (both domestic and foreign), and encourage indigenous manufacturing of satellite equipment under ‘Make in India’.
- Consumer Protection: Robust QoS benchmarks, transparent tariff structures, and effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
- Universal Service Obligation (USO): Leveraging SatCom to meet USO fund objectives for connecting remote and inaccessible areas, potentially through viability gap funding or incentive mechanisms.
- Accelerated Deployment: Reduced ambiguity will expedite investment decisions and network rollouts.
- Enhanced Digital Inclusion: Connecting the unconnected in remote, hilly, and disaster-prone regions, thereby bridging the digital divide.
- Economic Growth: Boosting e-commerce, telemedicine, e-education, precision agriculture, and creating new employment opportunities.
- Strategic Autonomy: Strengthening India’s capabilities in space-based communication, critical for disaster management, defence, and national security.
- Innovation: A clear policy will encourage R&D and the development of India-specific SatCom solutions.