New Delhi: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has termed as “unprecedented” the calls for auctioning satellite spectrum as demanded by country’s largest telecom operator Reliance Jio.
Reacting on X to a handle @ajtourville, who has mentioned about Jio’s demand to auction satellite spectrum, Musk said, “That would be unprecedented, as this spectrum was long designated by the ITU as shared spectrum for satellites.”
The reaction of Musk came late Monday night after Jio wrote to Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia seeking auction of satellite spectrum and reissuance of the consultation paper by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) as key issue of level-playing field has been overlooked by the regulator.
Starlink, which is owned by SpaceX has applied for global mobile personal communications by satellite services (GMPCS) licence in India, but the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is yet to grant it as there are some compliance issues regarding data storage and transfer.
Starlink has already commenced putting direct to cell satellites in orbit.
Yesterday, ET reported about Jio’s demand of auctioning satellite spectrum. In the letter dated October 10, Jio has said several global satellite constellations like Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, Eutelsat-Oneweb, Telesat, and even its own satcom joint venture with SES, among others, are keen on obtaining spectrum and market access rights in India and these constellations will provide access, or mobility, services in future, thus directly competing with terrestrial networks.
The letter to the minister follows a similar letter addressed to Trai Chairman AK Lahoti a week back seeking revision of the consultation paper on spectrum pricing, as the aspect of level playing field has been overlooked. But the company said it has not received a favourable response from the regulator.
But Jio, in its latest letter, said even the reference sent by DoT to Trai seeking recommendations on the subject talked about level playing field, but the regulator has overlooked the issue.
The telco highlighted that due to technological advancements like non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) systems, direct to device services, and convergence of satellite-based access services in IMT-advanced, distinctions between satellite and terrestrial systems have blurred. While satellite services complement terrestrial networks in some unconnected regions, they would be directly competing in covered areas.
While many thought the issue had been decided once the new Telecommunications Act—which backed administrative allocation for satcom airwaves—was notified.
But Jio has again opened the floor as it questioned the regulator’s tilt towards administrative allocation of satellite spectrum. The company said that while writing to Trai, DoT has not prescribed a specific methodology for spectrum assignment and instead left the matter open for discussion, with reference to the provisions of Section 4 read with the First Schedule of the Telecommunications Act.
Reacting on X to a handle @ajtourville, who has mentioned about Jio’s demand to auction satellite spectrum, Musk said, “That would be unprecedented, as this spectrum was long designated by the ITU as shared spectrum for satellites.”
The reaction of Musk came late Monday night after Jio wrote to Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia seeking auction of satellite spectrum and reissuance of the consultation paper by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) as key issue of level-playing field has been overlooked by the regulator.
Starlink, which is owned by SpaceX has applied for global mobile personal communications by satellite services (GMPCS) licence in India, but the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is yet to grant it as there are some compliance issues regarding data storage and transfer.
Starlink has already commenced putting direct to cell satellites in orbit.
Yesterday, ET reported about Jio’s demand of auctioning satellite spectrum. In the letter dated October 10, Jio has said several global satellite constellations like Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, Eutelsat-Oneweb, Telesat, and even its own satcom joint venture with SES, among others, are keen on obtaining spectrum and market access rights in India and these constellations will provide access, or mobility, services in future, thus directly competing with terrestrial networks.
The letter to the minister follows a similar letter addressed to Trai Chairman AK Lahoti a week back seeking revision of the consultation paper on spectrum pricing, as the aspect of level playing field has been overlooked. But the company said it has not received a favourable response from the regulator.
But Jio, in its latest letter, said even the reference sent by DoT to Trai seeking recommendations on the subject talked about level playing field, but the regulator has overlooked the issue.
The telco highlighted that due to technological advancements like non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) systems, direct to device services, and convergence of satellite-based access services in IMT-advanced, distinctions between satellite and terrestrial systems have blurred. While satellite services complement terrestrial networks in some unconnected regions, they would be directly competing in covered areas.
While many thought the issue had been decided once the new Telecommunications Act—which backed administrative allocation for satcom airwaves—was notified.
But Jio has again opened the floor as it questioned the regulator’s tilt towards administrative allocation of satellite spectrum. The company said that while writing to Trai, DoT has not prescribed a specific methodology for spectrum assignment and instead left the matter open for discussion, with reference to the provisions of Section 4 read with the First Schedule of the Telecommunications Act.
You may also like
'Never give up': UAE women share stories of strength, healing
Kashi residents express gratitude to PM Modi for approval of new rail-road bridge
Zakir Naik a fugitive, plea should not be entertained: Maha govt to SC
Erik ten Hag left sweating ahead of Man Utd vs Brentford as injury list hits double figures
Nagas need to be united, live in peace for development of Nagaland: CM Neiphiu Rio
If there's a party in the evening, follow these tips for a rose-like glowing face
Tipping Point fans slam player for worst game play ever after blowing huge lead
Striker who missed AFCON over gender row nominated for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year
West Bengal: Woman's half-charred body found in Nadia, one held
Seven of family killed in car accident in Telangana's Medak; CM expresses grief
Spain reach Nations League quarters, Ronaldo's Portugal held by Scotland
Former AAP MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar moves to HC challenging his disqualification from Assembly
Is Sabrina Carpenter cursing sports teams? Why the singer seems to be a bad luck charm!
Daniel Levy agrees to meeting as Tottenham fans given hope on 'misguided' ticket price plan
National Lottery winner urged to come forward with winning £3.6million Set for Life ticket
Odisha Police busts fake call centre in Bhubaneswar, six held
Prince William issues defiant message to critics as he's quizzed in new ITV documentary
Renukaswamy murder case: Actor Darshan submits plea in Karnataka HC seeking bail
Keir Starmer has given huge clue on what fishing rights he'd give away to EU
Brexit fishing betrayal is even worse than it already seems for this simple reason