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Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Satcom to enhance connectivity, contribute to achieving UN SDG goals: TRAI chairman
NEW DELHI: Satellites can potentially enhance connectivity beyond India's urban region and contribute to helping India achieve the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, according to AK Lahoti, chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI ). 'The promotion of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) is seen as a transformative step to enhance connectivity beyond terrestrial reach and foster innovation. Space technology has the potential to contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals ,' Lahoti said on Thursday at the ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI) Space Policy Conference 2025 (ISPC-25). Satellites can contribute to the achievement of SDGs by providing data and enabling communications and connectivity and remote and far-flung regions. The technology facilitates agencies and regulators to monitor progress, make data-backed decisions, and drive sustainable development initiatives, according to the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA). As per the Brussels-headquartered industry association, the satellite industry can bring an estimated $250 billion in social and economic benefits globally by 2030. Lahoti further said that the Indian Space Policy, 2023, has enabled increased participation of private players and startups across the entire ecosystem and opened up a level-playing field for non-governmental entities. He said the telecom regulator's recently released satcom recommendations are 'balanced', taking into account the requirements of all stakeholders. TRAI, in May, recommended administrative allocation of satcom spectrum with a fee pegged amounting to 4% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR), for a five-year term, which can be extended by another 2 years. The 4% AGR fee applies to both geostationary and non-geostationary satellite operators. 'We believe that this is a very balanced recommendation, which will benefit benefit the sector and yet take care of the interests of all the stakeholders,' he said. 'Overall, we hope these recommendations will be a significant step to ensuring the growth of India's satellite broadband ecosystem and support national digital inclusion goals,' Lahoti added. Revathi Mannepalli, joint wireless advisor, and member (radio regulatory board), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), in turn, said that the Telecommunication Act, 2024, has modernised the regulation of the sector, and aims to enhance ease-of-doing-business, promote and development, and bridge the digital divide. 'TRAI has already provided recommendations on it (satcom). DoT is working on it, and probably soon will be coming up with the rules and regulations on that,' she added. Isabelle Mauro, director-general, GSOA, said that India has made significant progress in streamlining and centralising space activities. 'We must continue to adhere to these standardised procedures as we provide the certainty needed for industry investment, and for innovation,' Mauro added, noting that assignment and pricing debates over the last few years have delayed the rollout of satellite services and impacted their role in bridging the digital divide. 'The services are now ready, and we must now concentrate on facilitating deployment, including focusing on blanket licensing approaches to streamline procedures and on approvals of these sites,' according to Mauro. The harmonisation of spectrum, mutual recognition and type approval of user channels will all contribute to economies of scale and lower the pricing of deploying user equipment, 'hence benefitting customers', she added. GSOA's members include the Eutelsat Group, Airbus, Echostar, AST SpaceMobile, SES, Viasat, and others.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Viasat working with DoT, BSNL to scale up direct-to-device business: Gautam Sharma
NEW DELHI: American satellite operator Viasat on Thursday said it is jointly working with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), state-owned telecom carrier Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited ( BSNL ), and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to scale up its direct-to-device (D2D) business in India. 'We believe that the D2D services can reduce the dark spots, both in urban and rural. Currently, we are working with the Department of Telecommunications, BSNL, as well as with OEMs so that we can scale this business,' Gautam Sharma, managing director (MD), Viasat, said at the ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI) Space Policy Conference 2025 (ISPC-25). He added that the company was confident of scaling the D2D service by the end of 2025, or early in 2026. Compared to the traditional satellite communication ( satcom ) services, such as low-Earth orbit (LEO) broadband and very small aperture terminal (VSAT) internet that require specialied equipment and end-user terminals, D2D facilitates accessing voice, data, or internet, directly on ordinary, handheld smartphones. D2D, however, is nascent and industry executives say it currently has a niche application for consumers, as well as, fragmented standards. It is also presently commercially unviable for handset and chipset OEMs to introduce this service in mass-market smartphones, inhibiting its adoption. Last year, the Carlsbad, California-headquartered satellite company successfully demonstrated the direct-to-device satellite connectivity in India for the first time with BSNL, showcasing satellite-powered two-way messaging services. The new technology follows new global mobile 3GPP release 17 standards, which are currently being adopted by satellite operators, telcos, handset and chipset manufacturers. India's third-largest telco Vodafone Idea (Vi), this year, partnered with the US' AST SpaceMobile to launch D2D in India. This came months after its rivals, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, inked separate deals with billionaire Elon Musk-owned SpaceX to deliver Starlink satellite internet service in the country. Sharma said Viasat is considering trialling hybrid adaptive networks – combining sovereign satellites with commercial satellite networks – with Indian defence forces. 'It is important for us as a country to build a resilient network which has multiple network layers, which includes sovereign assets, as well as trusted partners, having those enterprise commercial constellations,' he said, adding that aviation is among the major industry verticals for satcom implementation, along with maritime and defence. He urged the Indian regulators to ensure that adequate orbital slots and spectrum are secured for the country's satcom needs. 'India should put its weight and see that orbital slots and spectrum are secured for India, as well as for other nations.' In May 2023, Viasat closed the acquisition of British satellite operator Inmarsat for about $6.3 billion, combining spectrum, satellite, and terrestrial assets, including 19 satellites in space spanning Ka-, L- and S- bands, to deliver connectivity and key safety services across maritime, aviation, government and consumer markets.
