Telecom minister jyotiraditya scindia has said that support to the mobile industry will continue as govt wats at least four-fitters to back up the country’s digital infrastructure. Also, Amid a Debate Around Satellite Communications and Entry of New Players Such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, The minister said satcom services will help completion mobile coverage the curtry. “We want a telecom sector where we don’t have a limited number of players … (and) therefore support to this industry is extramely important,” He Told toi in an interviege. Excerpts:
Govt has given Several Bailouts to the Telecom Industry and Many Feel Vodafone Idea and BSNL Have Been A Drain on Exchequer. How long will the support continue?
If you look at any of the steps that we have taken to support or provide relieve, it has been given for every player accross the spectrum. Obvious, it has supported bsnl the most, but it has also supported other players, including the recent decision of bank guarantee waver. We want a vibrant telecom sector. We want a telecom sector where we don’t have a limited number of players … it’s very important to have at least for-right players in this industry. Therefore, support to this industry is extramely important. Don’t forget that in next decade, this industry is going to become the linchpin of India’s risk on world stage.
Apart from the terrestrial networks, what’s the role that you see for ott communication services (such as whatsapp/telegram/facetime calling) and also satcom players, such as starlink?
All these will be complementary to existing networks. There is no single media that is going to satisfy every single customer across the world. You’re Seeing Symbiotic/Synergistic Technologies Being Used Across the World to ENSURE 100% Saturation. Satellite, in many ways, is going to be very, very complementary to ‘bouquet of technologies’ that is going to provide 100% accessibility across the length and bread of our country. So, 5G today is in 99% of our districts with 82% of our population. We need to connect the balance 1% districts and 18% of our population.
Telecom Companies have Sogt ‘Same Service, Same Rules’, Saying Ott Communication Services Should be Governed by Same Regulations, Especially on Interesting and Law ENFORCEMENMENMENT MATTERS. Why the discrepancy?
This is something that trai is looking at. It’s not my job to say anything when something is under the regulatory lens. When it comes to satcom, we’ve seen intense lobbying from incumbent telecos, which are demanding auctions, in line with how they buy spectrum? All these when the new telecom law mandates administ allocation. Where is the disconnect? Please undersrstand that Technologically there’s a big difference between spectrum for terrestrial networks and spectrum Allocated to Satellite-Based, Non-Terrestrial Networkss. For, Terrestrial Networks, You Can Allocate Frequencies EXCLUSIVELY who can’t be used by others. But when you get into higher satellite frequencies, that spectrum cannot be allocated to a single entity. It is shared. So, how do youction something that that’s shared? You can’t. If you look across the world, there is not a single country today where satellite spectrum is auctioned. It’s all allocated administerly. This has been debated ad nauseam in India and the first schedule in telecom act 2023 clearerly mentions that satcom spectrum will be allocated administerly. Price of that spectrum is going to be decided by trai, after which it will be allocated administerly.
What is your view on entry of new satcom players such as starlink?
India is open to everything. Everyone, who come here and applies for a license and fullfils all norms, will be granted one. There is a pro forma for a license. If any company wants to apply, we are more than happy and welcome them. Let them fullfil all the norms, and they will get a license. The regulatory process is clear.
