PHD Chambers seeks revision of Trai satcom spectrum paper for level playing field

After Reliance Jio, the manufacture assemblage PHD Chamber of Commerce has besides demanded revision of telecom regulator Trai's consultation insubstantial connected rules for outer spectrum allocation, alleging that it misses questions astir the level playing tract betwixt Satcom and terrestrial networks.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Director Ranjeet Mehta, successful a missive to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman AK Lahoti, said that not addressing the contented of a level playing tract betwixt terrestrial and satellite-based connection work violates Article 14 of the Constitution.

"The lack of questions addressing the contented of a level playing tract successful the consultation insubstantial prevents galore stakeholders from considering these concerns and providing important inputs to Trai.

"Moreover, not addressing the concerns to guarantee a level playing tract betwixt outer and terrestrial entree services during the consultation process whitethorn interruption Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, resulting successful arbitrary favoritism and undermining the close to equality," Mehta said.

On September 27, 2024, Trai floated a consultation process to research methodology and terms for assigning spectrum to outer companies to supply calling, messaging, broadband and different services successful the country.

The determination connected spectrum terms and allocation methodology volition pave the mode for satellite-based broadband services from companies similar Elon Musk-owned Starlink, Bharti Group-backed OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications crossed India.

"We sincerely petition Trai to contented a revised consultation insubstantial that includes circumstantial questions related to ensuring a level playing field," Mehta said.

Reliance Jio has besides urged telecom regulator Trai to travel up with a revised insubstantial connected spectrum allocation for outer communication, saying that it ignores the cardinal constituent of ensuring a level-playing tract betwixt outer and terrestrial services.

However, Industry assemblage Broadband India Forum has opposed Reliance Jio's request to telecom regulator Trai to revise the consultation insubstantial connected Satcom spectrum rules.

Without naming Reliance Jio, Broadband India Forum (BIF) said that the statement for a 'level playing field' betwixt satellite-based and terrestrial connection services is fundamentally flawed, demonstrating a profound misunderstanding of the technologies and the law.