View: https://youtu.be/53hTRNvVPMQ?si=qZL9iiKTTDnuyVDl
Meanwhile this happened. Apparently GoI is following the worldwide trend of allocating spectrum for satellites as opposed to auctioning them which is what foreign service providers like Starlink & Amazon were advocating contrary to Airtel & Jio who were asking for an auction.
Why is this the case ? Can anybody with more knowledge on the subject matter throw light on this move for the benefit of us plebians ?
First, It is important to understand the key difference between spectrum for terrestrial networks and satellite communication and why the distinction between allocation and auctioning arises in the first place.
For terrestrial mobile services, spectrum is exclusive and is managed only by a single mobile operator in a given geographical area; therefore, this cannot be shared between or amongst operators.
In the case of satellites, the same spectrum is non-exclusive in nature and can be used by multiple satellite operators to serve the same geographical area.
The general trend, therefore, is to allocate satellite spectrum administratively.
A few countries, such as the United States, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, have held auctions for frequency spectrum in the past. The US and Brazil conducted an auction of satellite spectrum along with orbital slots. Both countries have since reverted to administrative assignments after finding the auction process infeasible.
Like, for example, the US last conducted an auction for satellite spectrum in 2004 for three domestic orbital slots for broadcasting services. The annual regulatory fee for VSAT and equivalent C-Band antennas operating in the 12 GHz and 14 GHz frequencies is $595 per licence or authorisation.
Brazil too amended its regulatory framework in 2020 to replace satellite auctions with administrative licensing.
Though satellite landing rights are assigned through bidding in the country, the spectrum to be used for satellite services is not auctioned separately.
Recently, Saudi Arabia conducted a spectrum auction in the S-band, which ranges from 2 GHz to 4 GHz and is used for mobile satellite services (MSS) as well as weather and air traffic control applications.
The technical characteristics of the S-band are such that it is assigned on an exclusive basis for MSS; auction can, therefore, be conducted in a manner similar to the spectrum auction for terrestrial mobile services.