Starlink, Amazon Kuiper seek predictable policy, lower spectrum price for satcom in India
- by telecom.economictimes.indiatimes
- Oct 18, 2024
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Updated On Oct 18, 2024 at 02:18 PM IST
Read by: 100 Industry Professionals
FILE PHOTO: A Starlink satellite internet system is set up on a caravan truck of a tourist, parked in a street in Ronda, Spain February 12, 2024. REUTERS/Jon Nazca/File Photo
NEW DELHI: Global satellite communication (satcom) majors such as Starlink and Amazon Kuiper have sought a predictable policy environment, light-touch regulation, and lower spectrum prices from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central government which can allow them to offer broadband-from-space services in far-flung remote regions where deploying terrestrial communications infrastructure is not feasible.
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“Predictable policy is very important. Without a predictable policy, these multi-billion dollar investments cannot be made. There should be a light touch regulation. Do not look at satellite services as a golden goose. Be light on the regulatory fees and spectrum fees, because we are trying to reach the last customer (in remote regions) in providing that universal access,” said K Krishna, Business Head, Asia Pacific at Amazon Kuiper.
He was speaking during a satellite spectrum regulatory session at the ongoing India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024.
“So, if your goal is to reach that customer, we share that goal too. But if you burden us with a lot of fees, we are not going to be able to (deliver services) cost effectively,” Krishna said.
David Goldman, Head of Satellite Policy at SpaceX, said Starlink partners with local telecom operators holding licensed spectrum to provide satcom services in a country.
“Once we have a mobile partner, they will tell us which spectrum we can use. We then essentially plug into their network and become effectively a backhaul system for their network using their licensed spectrum,” Goldman.
The SpaceX executive said this essentially extends the reach of mobile services. “Terrestrial networks have tremendous reach right now in the world. But there are places where it is not economical to put towers.”
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Billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink has about 7,000 satellites orbiting Earth in low-earth orbit (LEO), covering over 100 countries, and has about four million customers presently. By contrast, Amazon is investing $10 billion to launch Kuiper, its LEO constellation, and plans to have 3,232 satellites in orbit by 2029.
Goldman said Starlink is deploying a separate constellation for direct-to-cell connectivity. So far, it has launched 200 satellites, he added.
Currently, both Starlink and Kuiper are yet to get the license to offer their satellite broadband services in the country. So far, only Reliance Jio and OneWeb have got the license.
Musk recently posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Starlink “will do its best to serve the people of India”.
This Tuesday, India’s union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that spectrum for satellite services will be allocated administratively but at a cost, which would be decided by the telecom regulator.
“The significant advancements in satellite communication and its wide coverage have enabled its commercial use across various sectors, including broadcasting and telecommunications. Many countries are supporting the deployment of satellite communications to deliver reliable and cost-effective broadband services, especially in remote and challenging terrains,” AK Lahoti, Chairman of TRAI, said at the session.
The combination of satellite systems and terrestrial networks can provide seamless connectivity across the globe, particularly during natural disasters when land-based mobile networks often get affected, Lahoti said.
“Recently, TRAI has also recommended a new framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, introducing a unified service authorisation framework under which an authorised entity can provide different telecommunication services, including satellite-based communication services on a pan India basis,” he added.
However, deliberations are needed to ensure the success of the integration of terrestrial networks with non-terrestrial networks (NTN), the TRAI chief said.
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