Date: 06/01/2023

Relevance: GS-2: Government policies and interventions and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Relevance: GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications.

Key Phrases: Satellite Communication (SatCom), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Advantages of Satcom, Auction of spectrum for satellite communication, SatCom regulation, SatCom working, Infrastructure for Satellite Communication

Context:

• Recently, the government of India announced its desire to auction spectrum for satellite communication (SatCom) thus making India the first country to do so.

Background:

• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had received a reference from the Department of Telecommunication for the spectrum required to be put to auction and associated aspects of satellite-based communication.
• After the reference was received the TRAI Chairman announced that TRAI will soon make recommendations to make permissions required for satellite communication from various Ministries -- Information and Broadcasting, Space and Telecom -- seamless to enhance ease of doing business in the sector.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

• About
  • The TRAI was established in February, 1997 by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997.
  • It is headquartered at New Delhi.
• Objectives
  • TRAI regulates telecom services including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services.
  • Promotes a fair and transparent policy environment which provides a level playing field and facilitates fair competition.
  • To create and nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications in the country.
• Composition
  • A Chairperson, two whole-time members and two part-time members; all are appointed by the Government of India.
  • All the members have a 3 years tenure or at the age of 65 years whichever is earlier.
• Functions
  • Makes recommendations on introduction of new service providers, revocation of license for non-compliance of terms and conditions of license etc.
  • Ensuring the compliance of terms and conditions of license.
  • Laying down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the service providers.
• Powers
  • It has powers of issuing directions to the Service Providers, Search, inquire and suo moto powers for the development of telecommunication technology.

What is Satellite Communication (SatCom)?

• About
  • Satellite communication refers to any communication link that involves the use of an artificial satellite (communication satellite) in its propagation path.
  • A communication satellite transmits the signal via a transponder by creating a channel between the transmitter and the receiver at different Earth locations.
  • They can be found in geostationary, Molniya, elliptical, and low Earth orbits.
  • Satellite communications tend to use high-frequency signals.
• Working
  • The communication satellites generally use three stages in their working
  • Uplink: It is the process of sending data signals from the ground equipment (such as television broadcast) to the satellite.
  • Transponders: Transponders (such as radio receivers, amplifiers, and transmitters) boost the incoming signal and change its frequency so that the outgoing signals are not altered.
  • Downlink: Data is sent to the other end of the receiver on the earth.
  • Usually there is a single up linking of data and multiple downlinking of data.
• Status of satellite communication
  • There are over 2000 artificial satellites in use and used for traditional point-to-point communications, mobile applications, and the distribution of TV and radio programs.
  • The commercial launch of SATCOM services for the telecom industry is expected in India and companies such as Starlink, OneWeb and others are preparing for this.
  • They have plans to send thousands of LEO (low-Earth orbit) satellites into space to provide global coverage.

  

Advantages of Satcom

• Can reach remote areas
  • The main advantage of satellite service is that it can provide high-speed internet access in remote areas, where terrestrial networks cannot be set up, for instance in rugged unreachable terrain such as the Himalayas.
• One-time investment and minimal operating costs
  • Unlike the traditional mobile operators who have to upgrade their infrastructure (4G to 5G and so on) which have huge capital investments; investment into a satellite network is a one-time event with minimal additional investments required.
• Increased reliability and quality
  • Only about 35% of mobile base stations are fibre-connected. Satellite connectivity works better than microwave technology and is more feasible than fibre in difficult terrain.
  • Also, SatCom uses LEO satellites unlike the GEO satellites used currently for imagery, and direct-to-home broadcasts which may lead to latency driven impact on mission-critical data services which need real-time data access.
  • It will be conducive for providing high-capacity broadband and a constellation of satellites will be very useful for India given the dismal fixed broadband infrastructure.
  • Hence, Satcom could increase the reliability and quality of existing mobile networks.

Concerns related to recent policy on SatCom

• Unexplored endeavor
  • India is going to be the first country who is to sell airwaves for satellite services.
  • Unlike mobile services, satellite communication networks do not need dedicated spectrum resources.
  • Most satellite players in other countries operate by sharing spectrum resources so there are concerns on how it will affect the stakeholders.
• Segmentation of airwaves and risk of reduced efficiency
  • Satellite players have warned that any move to auction spectrum would cause segmentation of airwaves and drive down the efficiency of broadband services.
• Difficult to administer
  • Satellite spectrum allocation is also more complicated than its terrestrial counterpart because it needs global coordination.
  • Setting up ground stations or gateways would require regulatory approvals in each country, and there could be inhibitions with conservative regulators.
• Issues with the auction mechanism
  • Although the auction mechanism brings in transparency into the spectrum allocation process.
  • However, telecom operators are pushing for an auction mechanism to ensure a level playing field in the market since satellite service providers will end up competing with mobile operators for a share in the booming broadband market.
• Legal issues
  • The Supreme Court order mandating auctioning of spectrum in the aftermath of the 2G scam needs to be taken into consideration.
• Expensive and regulation issues
  • Satellite Communication is expensive and there is no clear policy on its regulation such as the Universal License (UL); specifically permitting international internet gateways.

Conclusion

• Satellite communication offers many benefits and at the same time offers a few challenges therefore policymakers should ensure that the nascent satellite communication industry is not stifled by tough regulatory rules while taking the spectrum access interests of existing telecom operators into account.
• There are new players that have expressed interest in launching satellite broadband services and it is up to the TRAI to find a balance between the technological drawbacks of auctioning satellite spectrum and the need for adopting a process that is non-arbitrary and transparent so that users can get access to satellite communication services at an affordable price.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. The nascent satellite communication industry has much to offer for the benefits of the users provided it is not stifled by tough regulatory rules, Discuss. (250 words).