New Delhi, May 2 (KNN) Space industry regulator IN-SPACe has been reached out by Satcom Industry Association of India (SIA India) to look into the telecom regulator’s discussion paper on spectrum allocation mode for space services, reported ET.

SIA India has alleged that the underlying intent of the paper appears to be forcing an auction of satellite spectrum, contrary to global practices.

India’s Space Policy 2023 has empowered IN-SPACe to act as the sole single-window agency to authorise space activities by both government and private satcom players.

ET has seen a copy of the letter in which IA India director general Anil Prakashsaid said, “Most questions in the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s consultation paper explicitly reveal that the intent of the process revolves around auction of satellite spectrum in the critical `C,’ `Ku’ and `Ka’ bands that can derail the ongoing momentum in the satellite sector (and, accordingly,) we seek your intervention on the TRAI consultation.”

He addressed it to IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka on Monday.

SIA counts satellite biggies such as US-based Hughes, Luxembourg’s SES, UK’s Inmarsat, Canada’s Telesat, Viasat and Asiasat among its key members.

Last month, TRAI had floated a consultation paper seeking views on whether spectrum allotment for space communications should be done via auctions, the administrative route or any other model.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), though, has asked TRAI to recommend an auction model for space spectrum. Accordingly, the industry is awaiting the regulator’s recommendations, though DoT will take the final call.  (KNN Bureau)