Not pie in the sky: Satellite-based technology can transform connectivity. GoI needs to enable it

News: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reprimanded Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services for pre-selling and booking the satellite-based internet services without having obtained the necessary licences in the country. After which the company applied for the license.

This showcases the challenges that the government of India faces while balancing the advancement of technology along with regulating the services.

How can the technology transform connectivity?

5G is expected to provide much better services than 4G. Satellite-based services can bypass hurdles associated with terrestrial networks in creating a 5G network.

Technology has enabled the reduction and cost of launching satellites. The cost has come down from $18,500 per Kg to $2720 per Kg. This has made satellite-based networks economically viable.

The constellation of satellites, being as low as 10 kgs, placed in low Earth orbit or acting as drivers of satellite-based connectivity.

What steps have been taken by the government of India to promote this?

In November 2020, telecom regulator TRAI was asked to recommend a licensing framework for satellite-based connectivity. The TRAI recommended to tweak the existing telecom policy for universal licenses to pave way for satellite-based connectivity.

That advancement in technology should be promoted and enabled by the policy. This can transform connectivity and pave way for India’s success in the digital world.

Source: This post is based on the article “Not pie in the sky: Satellite-based technology can transform connectivity. GoI needs to enable it” published in the Times of India on 30th November 2021.