PMO intervenes into the satellite spectrum row between Musk and Ambani

The Elon Musk vs Mukesh Ambani battle on whether to auction or allocate satellite spectrum has attracted intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office. The PMO is reportedly meeting with experts to understand the nuances associated with the allocation methods for satellite spectrum. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India meanwhile could be holding back its recommendations on satellite spectrum to await the PMO’s opinion on the matter. 

Musk’s SpaceX hopes to offer satellite-based internet services in remote parts of the country, which is not connected by traditional means such as optic fibre or terrestrial telecom networks. Musk is not the only player hoping to enter the burgeoning space-based communication market.  

Sunil Bharti Mittal’s UK based communications venture OneWeb, and Canadian company Telesat also hope to offer similar satellite broadband or backhaul services using low earth orbit satellite constellations similar to the one used by SpaceX.  

However, as India mulls on the means of allocation of satellite spectrum, the launch of these services has been inordinately delayed.  

The international standards for allocation of satellite spectrum recommend administrative assignment of satellite spectrum. However, the Centre is deliberating whether it can allocate airwaves for satellite communication through auction, a move which is strongly backed by Reliance Jio. If India decides to offer satellite spectrum through auction, it will go against The International Telecommunication Union on the matter and set a completely novel precedent. No other country offers satellite spectrum through auction.