Telecom Policy
Starlink becomes latest entrant to get a satcom licence in India
Elon Musk's Starlink has secured a crucial licence from India's telecoms ministry. This approval removes a significant obstacle. It brings Starlink closer to launching commercial services in India. Starlink joins OneWeb and Reliance Jio. These companies have already received similar approvals. They are set to provide services across the nation.
DoT to review public sourcing policy
The Department of Telecommunications is set to reassess its public procurement policy, emphasizing the Make-in-India initiative. This review aims to incorporate more products and potentially ease local sourcing requirements, acknowledging challenges in achieving high local content in electronic and telecom products. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on product inclusion, local content requirements, and calculation criteria within 30 days.
Reliance, Airtel group challenges 'low' India satcom fee which can help Starlink
Indian telecom giants, represented by COAI, are worried that if satellite spectrum is priced too low, companies like Starlink will benefit unfairly. They argue that traditional telecom players pay significantly more for spectrum through auctions. COAI urges a review, emphasizing equivalent pricing for similar services to ensure fair competition as Reliance Jio and Airtel have invested heavily in 5G spectrum.
Telecom department plans to relax local content requirements under Make in India policy
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to revise its public procurement policy, potentially incorporating more products under the Make-in-India initiative. This review aims to address challenges in achieving high local content (LC) due to India's limited component ecosystem.
TRAI begins consultation for modalities of spectrum assignment in backhaul bands
TRAI has initiated consultations on assigning spectrum in several bands, including the lower 6 GHz, 7 GHz, 13 GHz, 15 GHz, 18 GHz, 21 GHz, E-Band, and V-Band. The regulator seeks stakeholder input on demand, terms, and charges, particularly for E and V bands crucial for high-throughput 5G backhaul.
New telecom policy targets 2x export growth, one million jobs by 2030
India's upcoming National Telecom Policy (NTP) aims to double telecom exports and achieve universal connectivity by 2030. The policy targets increasing the ICT sector's GDP contribution to 11% and attracting significant investment in telecom infrastructure. Focus will be on job creation in emerging technologies and integrating satellite networks to expand services, ensuring 4G/5G coverage and fiber connectivity across the nation.
Spectrum of fees satcom players to pay 4% of AGR: Trai
India's telecom regulator has recommended administrative allocation of satcom spectrum for a fee, a move set to revolutionize satellite internet services. The proposal, suggesting a 4% AGR fee and no upfront charges, now awaits government approval. This decision follows months of debate and could significantly boost India's space economy, attracting major players like Starlink and Amazon Kuiper.
TRAI dismisses arguments of satcom competing with terrestrial telecom networks in near term
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India dismissed concerns about satellite communication impacting terrestrial mobile services. TRAI considers them complementary due to capacity differences. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti stated no loss to telecom companies. TRAI recommended satcom firms like Starlink pay 4% of adjusted gross revenue as spectrum charges. Satellite services will remain complementary in the near future, says TRAI.
Trai suggests satcom spectrum price at 4% of AGR
India's telecom regulator has recommended administrative allocation of satcom spectrum for a fee, set at 4% of adjusted gross revenue, paving the way for commercial satellite internet services. The proposed licensing framework spans five years, extendable by two, and includes spectrum assignment across multiple frequency bands.
TRAI chief calls for balanced broadcast regulation amid industry divide
TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti addressed the conflicting regulatory demands within the broadcasting sector, balancing the need for deregulation with consumer protection. He highlighted the ongoing review of the New Tariff Order and the regulatory disparities between linear TV and streaming platforms.
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MeitY to lead efforts to curb spam calls from OTT platform
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will spearhead a campaign. This campaign aims to combat spam and scam calls. These calls originate from over-the-top and rich communication services platforms. This decision emerged from a joint committee meeting. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India convened this meeting. The goal is to protect consumers from fraud.
Satcom companies urge DoT for quick spectrum allotment
The satcom industry is urging the DoT to expedite provisional satellite spectrum allocation, enabling Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio-SES to launch commercial satellite internet services in India. ISpA and BIF have requested DoT to mandate satcom players to undertake spectrum charges from the date of provisional assignment for commercial usage.
Tech firms urge govt to open up 6 GHz WiFi band without delay
Technology companies are urging the telecom ministry to reconsider auctioning the 6GHz WiFi band, emphasizing the ₹12.7 lakh crore annual loss due to delays in delicensing. Broadband India Forum highlights the band's importance for devices like AR/VR headsets and Wi-Fi 6E/7 gadgets, noting India risks falling behind as over 84 countries have already opened it up.
Bharti Hexacom pauses tower sale, plans new valuation amid TCIL objections
Bharti Hexacom will re-evaluate its 3,400 telecom towers before seeking new bids from tower companies, following objections from shareholder TCIL regarding the initial valuation. The sale to Indus Towers was halted due to valuation differences and TCIL's demand for a transparent process. Bharti Airtel maintains confidence in the original proposal's merits despite the need for a fresh approach.
India asks telcos to reveal Chinese gear in networks amid US-China trade war
Amid US-China trade tensions, India is scrutinizing Chinese telecom equipment in its networks, seeking details from all telcos. The move aims to preempt potential security threats, though Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE are already kept out of 5G rollouts.
Vi weighs 'letters of credit' model to buy gear
Vodafone Idea is negotiating with banks and global vendors to buy 4G and 5G network gear using letters of credit, aiming to improve cash flow flexibility. This comes after the government converted part of Vi's spectrum auction dues into equity shares, enhancing its prospects of obtaining bank credit.
