The Satcom Industry Association of India (SIA-India) has called for a balanced approach for spectrum allocation for 5G International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and satellite services.
In its recent report, “A Balanced Approach for Spectrum Allocation – Support for a Thriving 5G/IMT & Satellite Sector in India” has pointed out that the satellite technology in the 28GHz band will be a cost-effective way to connect the unconnected with high-speed, low-latency internet.
The key objective of the SIA-India paper is to promote the adoption of a non-discriminatory, technology-neutral spectrum policy in India, which will help create policies to facilitate the entry of new technologies and competitors into the market, encouraging and promoting innovation.
The report was released by Dr. V K Saraswat, member, NITI Aayog, and in his address, he said that satellite can serve remote and rural areas of the country, and usher “significant economic growth” with its contribution ranging from $72-184 billion.
Satellite communication will also go a long way in meeting the required needs of the industry, he said.
Further adding that advancements in the satellite industry support dynamic allocation of capacity and multibeam HTS capability, which enable spectrum reuse, and efficient use of spectrum.
Subba Rao Pavuluri, president SIA-India & CMD Ananth Technologies also commented, “Terrestrial technologies alone cannot achieve the desired outcomes in regard to the current connectivity gaps in India and a mix of Terrestrial and Satellite technology is urgent and imperative for providing reliable and universal connectivity.”
According to the report, satellite technology in 28 GHz would be a cost-effective mode to connect the unconnected with high-speed low latency Internet. More than 120 countries (and rising) expressed their intention to follow the ITU decisions and preserve the 27.5-31 GHz and 17.7-21.2 GHz bands for satellite broadband services, this global consensus reaffirms maintaining the 27.5 GHz and above for FSS.
Further, a large number of companies, including ISRO have launched several satellites into orbit that are dependent on the 28 GHz Ka-band to receive information transmitted to them from the ground in this frequency band.
The impact of the loss of C-band spectrum in the 3.6-3.67 GHz band alone will be felt across the entire Rs700 billion Indian broadcasting industry carrying 900+ registered channels to 21 crore households in urban and rural India through approximately 1730+ digital platform operators and 50000+ cable operators, provides direct and indirect employment to 1.83 Mn people.
This paper underscores the need for a holistic assessment of the spectrum requirements for satellite and IMT sectors. A balanced and multi-technology approach enables the creation of ubiquitous connectivity infrastructure in the country for achieving ‘Digital India’ and ‘Broadband for All’ targets.
A tech-neutral broadband policy has to be supported by a balanced spectrum allocation policy in line with international standards and international best practices. Spectrum being a scarce national resource should be allocated optimally between all the service types and for the benefits of all the citizens.
Digital India’s development needs to leverage the sustainable development of various technologies, with a strong ecosystem of private players along with a conducive regulatory and policy regime creating a favorable business environment in the country.