The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of the Department of Telecommunications [DoT] to conduct a spectrum auction barring the key satellite band. The 28 GHz band (27.5-29.5) is not part of the frequencies being auctioned for 5G. That is a catalyst for the satellite communication industry to develop the ecosystem of Satellite capacity, User Services (Civil, Government and Defence), and ground system infrastructure and devices using these ITU harmonised 28 GHz frequencies.
Satcom Industry Association of India thanks the Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Hon. Minister for Communication Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the entire cabinet, and especially the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) for this encouraging step. SIA-India along with the entire Space industry in India hails this news.
A total of 72 GHz of spectrum with a validity period of 20 years will be put to auction in the approved frequency bands viz., 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands.
“SIA-India also appreciates DoT’s proposal based on the international best practices to exclude the ka-Band [27.5 –28.5 GHz] spectrum for 5G/IMT auctions. WRC-19 conference and ITU Radio Regulations (ITU RR) allocations have NOT included the 27.5-28.5 GHz band as part of the 5G/IMT identification. The decision is in line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister who has envisioned the Indian Space sector to be a revolutionary medium of progress for 1.3bn Indians and to capture a larger share of the global space economy.” – Mr. Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA-India
In March 2022, looking at the criticality of the spectrum debate, SIA-India had released an industry Position Paper with critical suggestions based on international studies to help the Industry and Policymakers to make suitable policy and business decisions.
“SIA-India in its position paper ‘A-Balanced-Approach-for-Spectrum-Allocation’ released by Dr. V K Saraswat, Member, Niti Aayog, in March 2022 had urged the govt to deploy 5G in the 26 GHz band as with the majority of the countries, to benefit from economies of scale and reserving the 28 GHz band for space and satellite sector. The Association is honored that the govt has based its decision in synergy with the SatCom Industry demand” – Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India.
Ka-band or the 28GHz band is of paramount importance to modern satellite systems, it is a key band for the satellite industry in India, and all the existing and ongoing investments made on satellite systems and ground equipment depend on the availability of this band for the SatCom sector.
Satellites are a potential game-changer to close the gaps in the broadband proliferation in India to provide ubiquity of coverage across unserved and under-served geographical areas, where terrestrial networks may not be available or even feasible. In countries where fiber backhaul is scarce, satellite backhaul offer a feasible option to accelerate the reach of telecom operators.
It is estimated that an increase in broadband adoption in India as a result of satellite coverage in unserved and underserved regions will contribute USD72.0-184.6 billion to the national GDP by 2030. In India, today, the satellite sector is where mobile was, a quarter of a century ago. Satellite technology needs similar support and policy intervention that helped cellular mobile technology to proliferate successfully in the country.
Several world-class models suggest that satellite technology can play an excellent model in achieving the Digital India goals [PM WANI and Bharat Net Targets] complementing the terrestrial modes.
A non-discriminatory, technology-neutral spectrum allocation policy is the need of the hour that would facilitate the entry of new technologies and competitors into the market, encouraging and promoting innovation.
