After Reliance Jio, industry body PHD Chamber of Commerce has also demanded a review of Telecom Regulator Trai’s discussion paper on satellite spectrum allocation rules, saying it misses questions about the level playing field between Satcom and terrestrial networks.
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Director Ranjeet Mehta, in a letter to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman AK Lahoti, said that not addressing the issue of a level playing field between terrestrial and satellite telecommunication services violates Article 14 of the Constitution. the Constitution.
“The absence of questions addressing the issue of level playing field in the consultation paper prevents many stakeholders from considering these issues and providing valuable input to Trai.
“Furthermore, not addressing concerns to ensure a level playing field between satellite and terrestrial access services during the consultation process may violate Article 14 of the Constitution of India, leading to unreasonable discrimination and undermining the right to equality,” said Mehta.
On September 27, 2024, Trai floated a consultation process to examine the mode and price of allocating satellite companies to provide calls, messaging, broadband and other services in the country.
The decision on spectrum pricing and allocation will pave the way for satellite-based broadband services from companies like Elon Musk-owned Starlink, Bharti Group-based OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications across India. .
“We earnestly request Trai to issue a revised consultation paper covering certain questions related to level playing field,” Mehta said.
Reliance Jio has also urged telecom regulator Trai to come up with a revised paper on satellite spectrum allocation, saying it ignores the crucial point of ensuring a level playing field between satellite and terrestrial services.
However, Industry body Broadband India Forum has rejected Reliance Jio’s request that telecom regulator Trai review the consultation paper on Satcom spectrum rules.
Besides naming Reliance Jio, the Broadband India Forum (BIF) said the ‘level playing field’ argument between satellite-based and terrestrial communication services is flawed, reflecting a misunderstanding of technology and law.