Key Points
A number of Indian and foreign companies are vying for spectrum for satellite communication, or satcom, a new way to access the internet as opposed to the traditional telecom networks...
Competition for satellite spectrum is fierce than for terrestrial spectrum, as there are only three private telecom players in the country, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea or Vi, but the number is much higher for satcom for which foreign companies such as Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon too are in the fray...
Satcom, as the name suggests, uses satellites for communication, especially internet connectivity, as against traditional terrestrial networks which are based on cables and towers..
Satcom can act as a frontline service in regions where fiber-cable connectivity may not be feasible and in disaster situations to keep essential services, including banking, up and running It can also be a tremendous support in rural and remote areas, especially in northeast and other hilly areas, and also serve as a backup in islands..
Meanwhile, the government, in the Telecommunications Bill 2023 tabled in Parliament on Monday, said administrative assignment of spectrum without auctions could be undertaken for services such as radio backhaul, in-flight and maritime connectivity, satellite services including global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) licenses, among others...
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