Broadband India Forum Challenges Reliance Jio's Request for Satcom Spectrum Consultation Revision

Broadband India Forum (BIF) has voiced its opposition to Reliance Jio's call for revising the consultation paper on satellite communication spectrum rules. Reliance Jio has urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to issue a revised paper, claiming that the current one fails to ensure fair competition between satellite and terrestrial services.

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Without directly naming Reliance Jio, BIF criticised the notion of creating a level playing field between satellite-based and terrestrial communication services. The forum argued that this idea shows a deep misunderstanding of both the technologies involved and the legal framework. BIF accused stakeholders of attempting to confuse matters by questioning the regulator's preference for administrative allocation of satellite spectrum and advocating for auctioning these airwaves.

Telecommunications Act 2023 and Spectrum Allocation

BIF highlighted that the Telecommunications Act 2023 clearly mandates that spectrum assignment for various commercial services, including satellite communication, should be conducted through an administrative process. This stance aligns with the country's existing policy framework, as established by Parliament.

On September 27, 2024, Trai initiated a consultation process to determine the methodology and pricing for assigning spectrum to satellite companies. This process aims to facilitate services like calling, messaging, and broadband across India. The outcome will impact companies such as Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications.

Reliance Jio's Concerns

Reliance Jio has expressed concerns that the consultation paper does not adequately address competitive fairness. The company claims it is not in line with the Department of Telecommunications' reference dated July 11, 2024. According to Jio, this misalignment makes the paper and its recommendations susceptible to legal challenges.

Jio, along with Vodafone Idea, opposes allocating spectrum to satellite companies without an auction. They argue that this approach undermines the Telecommunications Act 2023 norms, which emphasise auctions as the default method for commercial spectrum assignment.

Industry Reactions

BIF members include satcom players like OneWeb and Viasat, as well as telecom network equipment manufacturers. An email query sent to Reliance Jio did not receive an immediate response. The ongoing debate highlights differing views on how best to allocate spectrum for emerging satellite services in India.

The decision on spectrum pricing and allocation methodology will significantly influence the future of satellite-based broadband services in India. As discussions continue, stakeholders are keenly watching how Trai will balance competing interests while adhering to legislative requirements.