Airtel’s Stance on Spectrum Allocation for Satellite Companies Clarified by Sunil Bharti Mittal
In New Delhi, during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, addressed the topic of spectrum allocation for satellite communication companies. He emphasized that SATCOM companies aiming to serve urban areas should purchase spectrum like traditional telecom operators. Mittal stated, “Those satellite companies who have ambitions to come into urban areas, serving elite retail customers just need to take the telecom licenses like everybody else be bound with the same conditions. They need to buy the spectrum as the telecom companies buy. They need to pay the license fee as the telecom companies do and also secure networks as telecom companies do.”
Airtel clarified that their position remains unchanged, as outlined in a letter to the Department of Telecom (DoT) in March 2024. The letter supported administrative allocation of spectrum for SATCOM companies under specific conditions, such as connecting rural areas or during disaster management. Airtel continues to support this approach, as reflected in the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Reliance Jio, led by Akash Ambani, also supports the idea that satellite companies should pay for spectrum and licenses. Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended administrative allocation for satellite broadband. Companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper are advocating for administrative spectrum allocation for their services.
Doubts Revealed
Airtel -: Airtel is a big company in India that provides services like mobile phone connections and internet. It is one of the largest telecom companies in India.
Sunil Bharti Mittal -: Sunil Bharti Mittal is the founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, which includes Airtel. He is a well-known businessman in India.
Spectrum Allocation -: Spectrum allocation is about giving certain radio frequencies to companies so they can provide services like mobile and internet. It’s like giving a specific lane on a road to a company to use for their cars.
Satellite Communication (SATCOM) -: Satellite communication involves using satellites in space to send and receive signals for things like TV, internet, and phone services. It’s like using a giant mirror in the sky to bounce signals around the world.
India Mobile Congress 2024 -: India Mobile Congress is a big event where companies and experts talk about the latest technology in mobile and internet services. It’s like a big fair for tech companies to show their new gadgets and ideas.
Department of Telecom -: The Department of Telecom is a part of the Indian government that manages things related to telecommunication services, like phone and internet. They make rules and policies for how these services should work.
Reliance Jio -: Reliance Jio is another big telecom company in India, like Airtel. They provide mobile and internet services and are known for offering affordable data plans.
TRAI -: TRAI stands for Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. It’s a government body that makes sure telecom companies follow the rules and provide good services to people.