Jio pushes Trai to revise satcom paper on pricing, include level playing field

Trai on September 27 brought out an appointment paper looking for views on the rates method and terms of designating satellite spectrum– without auctions– to companies looking for to launch satellite broadband solutions in the nation.

Reliance Jio urges TRAI to reevaluate its consultation paper on satellite range rates. Jio stresses that public auctions must be the default method for range assignment.

The nation’s biggest telecom operator highlights that the Division of Telecom (DoT) referral to Trai sent on July 11, 2024, had requested the recommendations on the terms of spectrum project, including range prices, while taking into consideration the requirement for a level playing field with terrestrial gain access to solutions.

Even more, the telco has questioned the tilt towards administrative allowance for satellite spectrum, which undermines the Section 4 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. “Area 4( 5 )(a) of the Act highlights public auction as the default method for designating spectrum for industrial services. Based on the Act, all spectrum uses, including those in the First Arrange, need to be assessed against sub-clauses (i),(ii), and (iii) of Section 4( 5 )(a),” the letter stated.

“As a result, stakeholders will not be able to effectively take into consideration and provide appropriate inputs to Trai, thereby weakening the fairness of suggestions and the federal government’s intent to advertise well balanced competition,” Trai stated in the letter, dated October 4, a copy of which has been seen by ET.

“This inconsistency makes the appointment paper and the ensuing referrals at risk to lawful challenges, specifically since it fails to resolve the concern described in the DoT’s referral, such as guaranteeing level playing field,” Jio stated in the letter, a duplicate of which was likewise sent to Communications Preacher Jyotiraditya Scindia. Telecom Assistant Neeraj Mittal and various other DoT officials.

Reliance Jio has actually advised Trai to change the appointment paper on satellite range pricing as it really feels that the important facet of level-playing area between satellite and earthbound networks has actually been neglected by the regulatory authority.

In a letter to Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman AK Lahoti, Jio claimed the noninclusion has resulted in the lack of any kind of inquiries addressing the demand to create a level playing field between satellite and terrestrial solutions.