Dear Patrons,

SIA-India welcomes the announcement of amendments to the Unified License [UL] Agreement by the Department of Telecom for satellite-based connectivity for low bit-rate-applications which is expected to provide a much-needed stimulus to satellite service providers. The decision to not treat M2M and IoT devices, used in captive VSAT networks, in any architecture (Direct to satellite or aggregator mode), for the purpose of levy of license fee, is another bold decision and will help in the proliferation of the M2M/IOT ecosystem.

The waiver of the network operation and control centre (NOCC) charges for use of space segment for all DoT licensees for commercial and captive VSAT services removes an aberration that was followed by the Indian administration different from the dynamic international regulatory landscape.

Satellite innovations are bringing a decline in the costs, and NOCC charges were becoming a significant cost component besides an artificial regulatory hurdle. SIA-India welcomes this decision by DoT based on recommendations by TRAI.

In August 2021, TRAI had recommended to the Government for doing away with the NOCC charges for use of space segment, and the spectrum usage [SUC] charges paid by the service licensee should cover all the administrative, operational, and testing charges.
https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Recommendations_26082021.pdf

* In the amendments proposed under GMPCS Service, it has been allowed to provide satellite-based data connectivity to aggregator devices or to IOT devices. This tilts the scale against the commercial VSAT service providers; though the industry is hoping for relief on similar lines for Commercial VSAT CUG Service where it should be allowed to provide satellite based data connectivity directly to IOT devices as well as aggregator devices.

* The Digital Communications Commission has approved the reduction of Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) from 4% to 1% in line with the TRAI recommendations. However, the same has not been implemented so far. This needs urgent attention.

TRAI last month on 11th April 2022 had issued recommendations on the CP 'Auction of spectrum in frequency bands identified for IMT/5G'. Soon after the WPC wing of DoT referred back to TRAI with some concerns/issues on the recommendations and sought reconsidered recommendations from the regulator.

The table below shows DOTs view and TRAI response on the Ka band allocation.

This is a very positive view of the DOT with respect to the much-debated Ka-band, the key band of importance for modern LEO/MEO satellite systems that can offer high bandwidth low latency quality connectivity to the unconnected including backhauling of 5G networks in more remote areas. Multi-billion-dollar extensive investments have been and are being made to meet the growing demand for satellite connectivity to connect the unconnected. The 28GHz broadband satellite services cannot co-exist with IMT in the same band due to the high level of interference caused by the IMT BSS to satellite.

International Telecommunication Union's [ITU] Partner2Connect (P2C) is an online pledging platform designed to give opportunity to all the organizations and associations to take a holistic approach, to pledge, and to mobilize the resources needed to connect those who are still offline.

SIA India, in continuation with the ongoing endeavor to champion the cause of 'connecting the un-connected' has pledged under Partner to Connect [P2C] to 'Foster implementation of ITU guidelines and recommendations on NETPs and Last Mile Connectivity Guidelines' with a focus on 'Access & Adoption' by connecting 100,000 persons worldwide by 2025 and empowering communities.

A Preparatory Meeting for World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) was held on 26th April, 2022 under the Chairmanship of Addl. Secretary (Telecommunication) to work out a strategy for WTDC. The WTDC will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 6 to 16 June 2022.

The ITU, through its Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), organizes WTDC in the period between two Plenipotentiary Conferences to consider topics, projects, and programs relevant to telecommunication development. WTDC provides guidance to the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector and brings out requisite regulatory and policy documents.

To discuss the insights of the SIA-India Position Paper on "Self-Reliance in Defence Space - Inclusion of Space Sector in Defence Offset Obligations", on 4th May '22, a SIA-India delegation led by President Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri met Dr. Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary and Lt Gen VG Khandare (Retd). Senior Advisor, Ministry of Defence on 6th May 2022.

This is the second meeting with Defence Secretary on the proposal for inclusion of space sector for discharge of defence offset obligations leveraging synergies in the defence and space sectors and enabling cross-sector research, innovation and development of industrial capabilities.

For access to the position paper 'Self-reliance in Defence Space - inclusion of Space Sector in Defence offset obligations' pls click here: https://bit.ly/3Plz4Zy

Mr. Rajeev Gambhir, Senior Director, Technology & Policy, SIA-India moderating a session on the importance of 5G opening the door to innovation in Video Streaming at Asia Video event 'Future of Video India [FOV22]' by AVIA on 29 Apr 2022.



Click on the link to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqOpblRS3Po

Mr. Anil Prakash, DG SIA-India, participated in the International Conference on Small Satellites-2022 organized by Lovely Professional University on 30th April 2022. Speaking at the conference he pointed out the enormous business opportunity for small satellite manufacturing and launch segment, and what India needs to take-off in small satellite segment. Nearly 15000 satellites will be in orbit by 2030 and to capture a sizable chunk of the market India needs the right manpower. For India to harness the opportunity, adequate manpower created by diligent capacity building measures must be in place to meet the demand for design engineers, programmers and planners.