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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
COAI flags Trai's satcom recommendations; claims assumptions incorrect, low charges unjustifiable
Industry body COAI has approached the telecom department to raise concerns over Trai recommendations on the satcom spectrum, saying "incorrect assumptions" have led to unjustifiably low spectrum charges for satellite services relative to terrestrial networks . In a letter dated May 29, COAI claimed that Trai's recommendations are based on incorrect assumptions and that their implementation will hit the sustainability of terrestrial services, which form the foundation of India's digital infrastructure. COAI has urged the Department of Telecom (DoT) to form a committee to "undertake a comprehensive review of the recommendations in their entirety, ensuring the process is guided by principles of fairness, transparency, and equity and also give an opportunity to TSPs (telcos) to share their views regarding the same". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Bother With An Expensive Will (Do This Instead) Local Will Finder Undo Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) argued that the recommendations provide a regulatory advantage to commercial NGSO satellites against terrestrial broadband service providers and, if accepted by the DoT in their present form, will undermine competition and create a non-level playing field. COAI said that Trai's recommendations do not appear to address the most fundamental and contentious issue - the lack of a level playing field between terrestrial service providers and satellite operators serving the same market. Live Events "The said recommendations are based on incorrect assumptions and implementation of these recommendations will impact the sustainability of terrestrial services that form the foundation of India's digital infrastructure," it said. COAI, in its letter, claimed that Trai has underestimated the potential capacities of satellite networks while possibly overstating those of terrestrial networks. This, it said, "resulted in a flawed foundation for the entire exercise". "Use of accurate capacity data from both terrestrial and satellite operators would have yielded a more transparent and reliable assessment of respective capacities of satellite and terrestrial networks," it said. The "fundamental flaw" in the capacity assumptions exercise undermines the DoT's clear mandate to ensure competitive parity between satellite and terrestrial services. "Incorrect assumptions have led to unjustifiably low spectrum charges for satellite services relative to terrestrial networks" said the letter addressed to DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal. COAI further said that the regulator was expected to recommend a pricing structure that ensures a level playing field between satellite-based and terrestrial operators after doing a complete techno-economic analysis, but "has instead, surprisingly, based its recommendations on the ad-hoc spectrum charges set on an administrative basis for non-competing VSAT services using Geo-Stationary (GSO) satellites. The telecom regulator last month recommended that satellite communication companies like Starlink pay four per cent of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as spectrum charges to the government. Operators offering satellite-based broadband internet services in urban areas would have to shell out an additional Rs 500 per subscriber annually. No additional levy would be applicable for services in rural areas. COAI also argued that the recommendation of a spectrum charge at four per cent of AGR is without justification. "It is well known and Trai would surely be fully aware that with the advent of next-generation non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) broadband services -- including low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO) constellations -- satellite services are now capable of directly substituting and competing with terrestrial fixed and mobile broadband networks," COAI said. Trai's current recommendations fall short of ensuring a level playing field, COAI claimed. The proposed spectrum charges are even lower than the administrative fees currently levied on GSO-based VSAT services, which do not compete with terrestrial networks, it added. "Spectrum Charges on a revenue share basis without any entry fee promote regulatory arbitrage and tilt the level playing field against terrestrial broadband service providers," it said. COAI argued that the additional proposal to subsidise user terminals or satellite operators through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) fund further tilts the level playing field against the terrestrial operator, especially given that a majority of the DBN levy is contributed by competing terrestrial operators. The association said that the recommendations are non-transparent based on non-justifiable assumptions rather than factual data. "The limited consideration of stakeholder inputs coupled with the absence of comprehensive consultation on key issues, such as ensuring a level playing field, evaluating network capacity, determining assignment methods, and establishing fair spectrum valuation, along with reliance on flawed assumptions, has culminated in recommendations that are not only inequitable but may also contravene the principles embodied in the Telecommunications Act, 2023," as per COAI. PTI
Trade Arabia
12-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Trip Affiliates Network accelerates MEA expansion
Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network) achieved a milestone in its Middle East & Africa (MEA) expansion strategy at Arabian Travel Market 2025 (ATM). The tech solutions network appointed key General Sales Office (GSO) agents to represent TA Network in the MEA region, aiming for deeper market penetration and localised support for partners. David Lai, TA Network's Regional Director of Ecosystem & Client Acquisition, shared his insights: 'ATM 2025 was the perfect stage to engage with the Middle East's vibrant travel sector. Over four dynamic days, we connected with travel agents, tour operators, and industry leaders, exploring how our solutions can empower their businesses and elevate traveller experiences. The region's appetite for innovation is immense, and the partnerships forged here will redefine travel curation in MEA. To those we met—thank you. To those we missed—let's connect!'
Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
TRAI releases Recommendations on Terms and Conditions for Assignment of Spectrum for Certain Satellite-Based Commercial Communication Services
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released Recommendations on 'Terms and Conditions for the Assignment of Spectrum for Certain Satellite-Based Commercial Communication Services'. TRAI had issued a consultation paper on 'Terms and Conditions for the Assignment of Spectrum for Certain Satellite-Based Commercial Communication Services' on 27.09.2024 for seeking comments and counter comments from stakeholders on 21 issues raised in the consultation paper. In response to the issues raised in the consultation paper, 30 stakeholders furnished comments, and 12 stakeholders furnished counter comments. Based on the comments received from stakeholders during the consultation process, and further analysis, TRAI has finalized its Recommendations on 'Terms and Conditions for the Assignment of Spectrum for Certain Satellite-Based Commercial Communication Services'. Salient points of the recommendations are given below: For assigning frequency spectrum for user links and feeder links for non-geostationary orbit or NGSO-based Fixed Satellite Service or FSS for data communication and Internet service, frequency spectrum in Ku band, Ka band, and Q/V band should be considered. For assigning frequency spectrum for geostationary orbit (GSO)/NGSO-based Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) for providing voice, text, data communication and Internet service, the following frequency bands should be considered: L band and S band for user links; and C band, Ku band, Ka band and Q/V band for feeder links. Frequency spectrum should be assigned for NGSO-based FSS and GSO/ NGSO-based MSS for a period of up to five years. However, considering the market conditions, the Government may extend it for a further period of up to two years. Terms and conditions including prices for the spectrum assignment for NGSO-based FSS and GSO/ NGSO-based MSS, recommended through these recommendations, should remain valid for a period of five years from the date of notification of the policy regime by the Central Government, further extendable by a period of upto two years. Any revision in the terms and conditions including prices for the spectrum assignment for NGSO based FSS and GSO/ NGSO based MSS, notified by the Central Government after a period of five years from the date of notification of the policy regime recommended through these recommendations, should become applicable to all authorised entities including the existing entities.
Business Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Vietnam sees strong exports, FDI pledges in April despite tariff woes
[HANOI] Vietnam had strong trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) growth in April, despite external challenges posed by the introduction of tariffs by the US, Vietnam's largest export market. Based on data released by the government's statistics body (GSO) on Tuesday (May 6), exports and imports rose sharply by 19.8 per cent and 22.9 per cent year on year, respectively, to US$37.45 billion and US$36.87 billion. 'This likely reflects a surge in front-loaded orders from the pause to 'Liberation Day' tariffs, and temporary exemptions on electronics,' noted Oxford Economics economist Adam Ahmad Samdin, expecting Vietnam's export growth to remain in the next few months. On Apr 2, US President Donald Trump announced a reciprocal tariff rate of 46 per cent on Vietnam – one of the highest levies in Asia. He later paused the tariffs on most countries for 90 days, during which the 10 per cent 'baseline' rate will be applied. Amid tariff uncertainties, Vietnam's major export category of computers and electronics in April surged 58.7 per cent from a year ago to US$8.1 billion. Shipments of footwear as well as textiles and garments – also key export products from Vietnam to the US – rose sharply by 20.5 per cent and 17.7 per cent, respectively, to US$2.2 billion and US$3 billion. In the first four months of 2025, the US remained Vietnam's largest export market, accounting for nearly 31 per cent of Vietnam's total outbound shipments. The South-east Asian country also maintained a sizeable trade surplus with the US at US$37.7 billion, up 24.9 per cent year on year. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up Meanwhile, China continued to serve as the biggest import source, making up 39 per cent of Vietnam's total imports. This expanded Vietnam's trade deficit with China to US$35.1 billion, up 44.2 per cent from the year-ago period. In the year to April, Vietnam recorded a US$3.8 billion surplus, narrowing markedly from US$9.1 billion in the same period of 2024 as imports increased stronger than exports at 18.6 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively. FDI also accelerated with pledges reaching US$13.8 billion, marking close to 40 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. This indicates future foreign capital inflows into Vietnam, while actual disbursement in the four months grew firmly by 7.3 per cent to US$6.7 billion. Analysts said Vietnam's FDI attractiveness is attributed to its strong fundamentals, including an extensive network of 17 free trade agreements that offer large export markets beyond the US. 'While (multinational corporations) may pause on fresh FDI given the cloudy global economy, firms will think twice about relocating solely on basis of tariff differentials,' stated Maybank analysts in a note last month. Crank up domestic economy On the domestic front, retail sales growth climbed 11.1 per cent from a year ago last month – the strongest since May 2023, bringing the increase in the January-April period to 9.9 per cent. GSO attributed the expansion to increased consumer spending and travel demand during major national holidays, along with a surge in international arrivals, which rose 23.8 per cent year on year to 7.7 million in the first four months of this year. Headline inflation last month held steady at 3.1 per cent year over year, resulting in the average figure in the first four months at 3.2 per cent – well below the 5 per cent cap. However, core inflation, which strips out volatile items, quickened to 3.14 per cent in April, marking its highest level since November 2023. 'As (Asean) economies face the inevitable (trade turbulence), policymakers will likely crank their domestic economies to make up for the slack in trade, setting the stage for monetary and fiscal easing,' HSBC economists stated in a recent note. Analysts expect State Bank of Vietnam, the country's central bank, to lower policy interest rates and increase tolerance to the weaker dong. The local currency has depreciated about 1.3 per cent against the US dollar since the start of this year. In addition, fiscal policy support has been prepared, including the extension of tax payment deadlines, preferential loans for manufacturing, and value-added tax cuts. Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on Monday that the country will adopt a flexible approach to managing its currency and interest rates to sustain loan demand and promote economic growth. He also urged an acceleration in disbursements for public investment and the development of key infrastructure projects, including high-speed railways and nuclear power plants. Uncertain tariff outlook S&P Global reported in its survey for the purchasing managers' index that Vietnam's factory activities contracted in April at the steepest fall since May 2023. Manufacturing new orders dropped the most in nearly two years, with demand from overseas declining more quickly amid the introduction of tariffs by the US and uncertain external market conditions. This led to lacklustre employment, with job cuts at the highest rate for three-and-a-half years. Manufacturers were also concerned about the production outlook in the months ahead, with business confidence falling to the lowest level since August 2021. 'The potential for further disruption to the sector as a result of additional tariffs meant that business confidence slumped and was one of the lowest on record,' said Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Chinh said on Monday that the country is expected to begin its first bilateral trade negotiation session with the US on May 7 as one of the six prioritised nations for this round. On May 1, a Vietnamese delegation already travelled to the US to engage with US counterparts on trade. Despite various global think tanks and financial institutions lowering Vietnam's gross domestic product growth forecasts this year by one to two percentage points due to tariff challenges, the South-east Asian country kept its target unchanged at 8 per cent. In the first quarter of this year, Vietnam's economic expansion slowed to 6.9 per cent, from 7.6 per cent in the preceding three months.
Fibre2Fashion
28-04-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Vietnam's manufacturers optimistic about Q2 despite challenges
Vietnam's manufacturing and processing companies are optimistic about business prospects in the second quarter (Q2) this year, a recent survey by the National Statistics Office (GSO) revealed. Results show 45.8 per cent of businesses expect better business performance in Q2 2025 compared to Q1, while 39.2 per cent anticipate stability and a mere 15 per cent foresee more difficulties ahead. Vietnam's manufacturing and processing firms are optimistic about Q2 2025 prospects, with 45.8 per cent expecting better performance over Q1, 39.2 per cent anticipating stability and 15 per cent foreseeing more difficulties ahead, a survey found. In the textile-footwear sector, 47.9 per cent want reduced lending interest rates, while 26.9 per cent want streamlined loan application process. Enterprises with foreign direct investment (FDI) are the most optimistic, with 87 per cent forecasting either improvements or stability in production and operations. State-owned enterprises follow with 84.7 per cent, and non-state firms at 84.1 per cent. While 45.1 per cent of businesses expect growth in production volume in Q2 2025, 40.9 per cent expect it to hold steady, and 14 per cent anticipate a decline. New orders are also projected to rise, with 43.3 per cent of businesses expecting more new orders, 42.8 per cent forecasting stability and 13.9 per cent foreseeing a decline. Up to 37.8 per cent of enterprises expect an increase in export orders; 48.9 per cent expect no change and 13.3 per cent anticipate a decrease, a domestic news agency reported. A key concern for Vietnamese manufacturers is rising inventories, which surged by 15.1 per cent year on year. High inventory levels limit cash flow, making it harder for businesses to reinvest in upcoming production cycles and potentially forcing them to cut back on output, if liquidity is not addressed promptly. Rising demand for green, clean and high-tech production globally adds further pressure. The survey showed 40.4 per cent of enterprises have urged banks to continue cuts in loan interest rates, while 28.3 per cent of businesses called for price stabilisation of raw materials, 25.1 per cent sought more streamlined administrative procedures and 24 per cent emphasised the need for stable material supply. Regarding the textile and footwear sector, 47.9 per cent of enterprises proposed a reduction in lending interest rates, while 26.9 per cent requested support in streamlining loan application procedures. Some 28.8 per cent of textile and footwear businesses called for cutting down administrative processing steps, 30.1 per cent suggested improving logistics service quality and 30.1 per cent expressed a desire to participate more deeply in production and supply chains. The demand for lower interest rates was particularly high in key localities, with 68.8 per cent of such businesses in Ho Chi Minh City, 85.7 per cent in the Thai Binh province and 50 per cent in southern Dong Nai province expressing such demand. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
