Regulatory certainty to push Satcom as affordable mainstream option, says BIF

NEW DELHI, Aug 27: The telecom regulator’s latest recommendations on ‘licensing framework for satellite-based connectivity for low bit rate applications’ are “well-balanced” and provide regulatory certainty, and cost efficiencies besides plugging connectivity gaps for remote areas, industry body BIF said on Friday.
Permitting the licensees to obtain satellite bandwidth from foreign satellites in all the permitted satellite bands to provide services would greatly enhance capacities for addressing rapidly-growing digital connectivity needs.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Thursday recommended to the government to reduce/remove various levies imposed on satellite operators as well as measures like avoiding intermediaries in the segment to make services affordable.
The regulator, in its recommendations on licensing framework for satellite-based connectivity for low bit rate applications, has suggested allowing the use of all types of satellites for low bit rate connectivity.
It also recommended the use of foreign satellites for providing connectivity for a longer duration than the permissible 3-5 years at present.
Low bit rate services are required for machine-to-machine communications, sensors used for tracking cargo, vehicles, railway and traffic signals, soil content for farming, among others.
Broadband India Forum (BIF) in a statement on Friday termed the recommendations as “liberalising and forward-looking” and said they would propel exponential growth in the sector, and garner socio-economic benefits for the nation.
“The recommendations, when implemented, would enable cost reductions, remove supply constraints, and allow ease of doing business, helping bring this highly efficient and advanced technology into the mainstream as a viable, cost-effective connectivity means to power India’s digital dreams,” BIF observed.
It went on to add that a single window transparent system for all approvals from authorising agencies would enable time-bound processing of the formal requirements.
Broadband India Forum, President, TV Ramachandran, said the recommendations by the regulator offer “much-needed regulatory certainty” to the sector, and are completely aligned to its critical needs.
“These impeccably balanced recommendations address the interests and requirements of all the stakeholders, across the Digital Communications as well as Space verticals. They would aptly resolve the long pending issues of scarcity of satcom capacity, significantly reduce regulatory costs, and would lead to increased efficiency in delivery of services,” Ramachandran noted. (PTI)