TRAI Invites Views on Norms to Allocate Spectrum for Satellite Services

Telecom regulator TRAI has invited public views on the method and different norms that needs to be adopted to allocate spectrum for satellite tv for pc communication providers, an official assertion mentioned on Thursday.

The session paper “Assignment of spectrum for Space-based Communication Services” follows reference made to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India by the Department of Telecom (DoT) searching for the regulator’s suggestion on the contentious difficulty of spectrum allocation to satellite tv for pc firms by means of public sale.

“In the present consultation paper, TRAI has considered all the spectrum bands relevant for space-based communication services as indicated by DoT… In this consultation paper, specific issues have been raised for consideration of stakeholders.

“Written feedback on the problems raised within the session paper are invited from the stakeholders by May 4, 2023 and counter feedback by May 18, 2023,” TRAI said.

Satellite companies have unanimously opposed allocation of spectrum to them through auction, while telecom operators said spectrum for commercial use should be allocated through auction only.

TRAI has sought views on five spectrum bands in the frequency range 1GHz (gigahertz) to 2GHz (L-band), 2GHz to 4GHz (S band), 4GHz to 8GHz (C band), 10GHz to 15GHz (Ku Band) and 17GHz to 31GHz (Ka band) — which are used for different applications related to telecom, broadcast, aviation, weather etc.

The DoT in its references has “envisaged to public sale the Space Spectrum on unique foundation” and asked the regulator to explore feasibility and procedure of sharing auctioned spectrum among multiple service licensees.

TRAI has asked views if spectrum should be allocated through auction, administrative process (assignment based on fixed fees) or any other methodology should be used.

The regulator has sought views on the validity period of spectrum allocation if it is done through auction and periodicity of the auction for any unsold or available spectrum.

Among a host of issues related to spectrum allocation for satellite communication service, TRAI has sought views on the quantum of spectrum required by companies for providing services.