Key Points
Satellite communication, commonly called satcom, is not a threat to telecom operators as the services will be complimentary and the pricing will always be at a premium to mobile, Bharti Airtel managing director Gopal Vittal said..
He added that the new telecom bill has brought much needed clarity on the issue, and addressed 4-5 other key areas for the industry like easing compliances, providing a roadmap for spectrum allocation and streamlining right of way (RoW) issues etc...
"We don't see it as a threat, we see it as an opportunity, because from our perspective, we are going to be distributing satellite services to a remote location, like somebody needs it on a ship or on an airline..
He was reacting to the Telecommunications Bill 2023 provision to give spectrum administratively, or without auctions, for satellite services, a stance which was backed by Airtel but was opposed by its rivals Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea...
If we know as a company that six years from now, this particular frequency will be available for access, we can plan our spectrum strategy well in advance," he said.. (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)..
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