New Delhi- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper on the assignment of spectrum for certain satellite-based commercial communication services. The paper has been asked for feedback from stakeholders.

It has been issued by TRAI after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked the regulator to provide recommendations on the auction of spectrum for space-based communication services in light of the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Earlier, TRAI had sought certain information from DoT with respect to space-based communication services. Based on the information provided by DoT, TRAI prepared a consultation paper on the assignment of spectrum for space-based communication services on 06.04. 2023. However, after the publication of the paper, the DoT had expressed concerns about some of the issues raised in the paper and requested TRAI to review its recommendations in the light of the provisions of Section 4 and the First Schedule of the Telecommunications Act 2023.

In the newly issued letter, TRAI has clarified that it will take into account only those services provided by GSO-based satellite communication service providers in the assignment of spectrum for space-based communication services. The services provided by NGSO-based satellite communication service providers will not be considered for the assignment of spectrum for space-based communication services, TRAI has said.