Dear Patrons,

SatCom Industry Association (SIA-India), a body created to represent the interests of the satellite communication ecosystem in India, celebrated its first Foundation Day on 30th March 2022. On the occasion of successfully completing one year, the association organized a half-day hybrid conference on "Satellite Enabled 5G Applications and Services"

Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, President SIA-India in his opening address at the conference said "I am extremely proud of SIA-India for celebrating its Foundation Day with significant milestones achieved in its maiden year by key policy interventions with TRAI, DOT, NITI Aayog, Ministry of I&B, MoD, DOS, IN-SPACe, ISRO & Finance Ministry in Regulatory, Spectrum & Standardisation".

The day also marked the release of a White Paper 'Satellite Spectrum Allocation-International Best Practices and Learnings' by Shri R K Saxena, Wireless Advisor, Govt. of India.



Launching the white paper, Shri RK Saxena, Wireless Advisor to GOI, said "The satellite technologies have immense capabilities in harnessing new age digital technologies and are an excellent platform to unleash their potential to reach underserved markets with access to high speed, reliable broadband services". The key objective of the paper is to highlight international best practices for satellite spectrum allocation worldwide and to advocate the adoption of a spectrum allocation policy under the administrative route with an 'Open Sky Policy' which will help the Satellite operators to have capacity over India and will allow flexibility to the Indian users.

To download the paper http://surl.li/brlij.

SIA-India whitepaper is a sequel to the Study Paper 'A Balanced Approach for Spectrum Allocations - Support for a thriving 5G/IMT & Satellite sector in India' released in early March 2022. Please click here to download paper: http://surl.li/bsvwn

The focus of the conference was to address issues around Satellite Integration in 5G, Satellite 5G use cases, and spectrum allocation best practices. Satellite broadband carries a huge significance, and the conference focused on some of the opportunities the technology enables to provide that complement other technologies in the communication infrastructure requirement in the country.

The conference was supported by GSOA, Kerala Space Park, NALSAR University, TEPC, TSDSI, USIBC and US Chamber of Commerce and saw participation by luminaries in the space sector, both domestic and international. Ms Aarti Holla-Maini, Secretary General Global Satellite Operators Association [GSOA] during her keynote address said "GSOA is actively promoting awareness and understanding of 5G projects funded by ESA & the EU. 5G Use Cases developed in the European context can benefit India in bridging the Digital Divide and minimizing a 5G divide through modern broadband satellite systems operating across orbits."

With 16 distinguished speakers across 3 panels, each a leader in his/her particular area of expertise, alongside Policymakers, Senior Govt. Officials, and Academicians, the conference deliberated upon the significant role of satellite technologies to connect the unconnected.

Shri AS Kiran Kumar, Former Secretary, DoS, and Chairman, ISRO, speaking virtually, said "There is immense potential within the space sector with new innovative disruptive technologies to capture a substantial market share of the global space economy which is all set to be a $1 Trillion market by 2030. The industry, Government and Academia need to work in constant synergy to carve out effective solutions for the sector. SIA-India's work is prominent in providing a platform for such critical discussion. SIA-India, along with ISRO and InSpace, can conduct experiments to support 5G opportunities and demonstrate solutions on how India can become a leading player in leading technologies".

To hear the various speakers at the conference please click: http://surl.li/bswce

SIA-India has brought together an illustrious group of industry 'Thought Leaders' to create 'Vision 2030' for a holistic, integrated communications network to bring together both terrestrial and satellite technologies. The think tank is chaired by Shri. AS Kiran Kumar, former Secretary, Department of Space & Chairman ISRO and current member of the Space Commission. The objective of this group is to have an amalgamated pan-industry solution to achieve seamless access and service connectivity for all citizens in India by creating an overall roadmap for integrating terrestrial and satellite communication air interfaces. The other core group members comprise Mr. Sharad Sadhu-former Director ABU, Mr. R. K. Bhatnagar- former Advisor, DOT & DG, VoICE, Mr. Bashir Patel- Sr Regional Advisor, Inmarsat/GSOA coordinator, and Dr. Mohana Velu- Expert International Spectrum Management.

SIA-India is happy to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SIA-India and the Indonesia-ITU Concern Forum (IICF) to disseminate and encourage the usefulness of ICT and Telecommunication actively contribute in the ITU developments and enhance competitiveness in the regional and global competition.

IICF has been approved by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia, on September 24th, 2014 which aims to uphold the interests of the Republic of Indonesia, become a partner of the Government, and other parties of the country, based on scientific and objective analysis to help improve understanding, and development of ICT and active participation of Indonesia in ITU.

The Event showcased satellite, it's capabilities and potential, and gets a dynamic discussion going around what needs to happen to create an enabling environment for this technology to support sustainable development across ASIA. The discussion takes a closer look at some of the ways satellite infrastructure can help build a sustainable future for those who live beyond the reach of other technologies. Case studies from India, Bangladesh and [Indonesia/Malaysia/Australia] were explored.

Speaking at the session Mr. Anil Prakash, DG, SIA-India said "In India Fintech models and the JAM trinity [Jandhan, Adhar & Mobile] have changed the digital financial architecture of the country and successful financial models such a m-pesa and Grameen Digital Banking can be replicated in India and other Asian countries to help the digital and economical marginalized population". Digital technology and Internet Access will be critical for financial inclusion to bring millions of unserved and underserved people into the formal financial sector in Asia.

Govt of India seeks 'Digital Empowerment', a step ahead of digital inclusion with the Digital economy target set at $800 billion market by 2030 from $85-90 billion in 2020. Digital financial Inclusion is imperative for Farmers, MSMEs, Distant education, Online Schools, Medical access, banking, remote Entrepreneurs, rural women empowerment, the disabled, and delivery of essential public services.