Jio Satellite Requests TRAI To Permit Flexible Use Of Satellite, Mobile Services

Jio Satellite said that technology is developing in a way that will allow the convergence of satellite and terrestrial networks, therefore flexible use of spectrum should be permitted.

The company has been lobbying for the distribution of spectrum for satellite services through auction only, while, satellite services companies have asked for the allocation of radio frequencies to be done through administrative methodology.

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Jio Satellite Communications has requested the telecom regulator to permit flexible use of spectrum for satellite and mobile phone services networks. In a letter dated September 5, the company urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s Chairman P D Vaghela to allow a flexible use of radio frequency for terrestrial and satellite services.

According to a PTI report, Jio Satellite noted in it’s letter that technology is developing in a way that will allow the convergence of satellite and terrestrial networks, therefore the company requested the regulator to allow the flexibility in the usage of spectrum. 

The company referred to the New Zealand government’s decision to permit flexible usage of high frequencies in the 24-30 Ghz band, in it’s letter. It added, “This suggestion for flexible use of spectrum is based upon the latest changes in technology and standards which have allowed the creation of integrated and converged networks. We reiterate the 3GPP specifications in its Release-17 have already enabled the convergence of satellite and terrestrial networks.”

Notably, Jio has already provided it’s comments in response to the regulator’s consultation paper on the Assignment of Spectrum for Space-based communications services. The paper for comments closed on June 1. 

The company has been lobbying for the distribution of spectrum for satellite services through auction only, and at the same time, satellite services companies have unanimously asked the allocation of radio frequencies to be done through administrative methodology. The satellite companies have maintained that they use spectrum on a shared basis on the basis of orbital positions. 

Jio has argued for it’s proposal citing two retired Supreme Court judges who shared the opinion that auction was the only method to allocate spectrum meant for commercial purposes. 

Citing the judgement of the New Zealand government, Jio Satellites added, “The New Zealand government has recognised the need for flexible use of spectrum in the wake of imminent technological convergence in telecommunication networks under integrated satellite and terrestrial networks.”

According to the current methodology, countries earmark spectrum frequencies for specific services on the basis of the decisions taken by the United Nations body, the International Telecommunication Union. In this, some spectrums are selected for specific services while some are chosen for mixed use. The satellite companies have put forward the demand to allocate the frequency range between 27.5-31 Ghz exclusively for satellite communication services.