Door open for no regulation of satellite spectrum in revised telecom Bill

Revised telecom bill will aim to list guidelines for satellite spectrum, say officials; several stakeholders have argued for separate provisions

The updated draft telecom bill will aim to lay down the guidelines for satellite spectrum — which the government might explicitly differentiate from terrestrial spectrum — but may not regulate it, according to officials.

In the draft bill released last month, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had extended the definition of “telecommunication services” to satellite-based communication services. Currently, the government has exclusive rights to establish, operate, maintain and expand all telecom services; and use, allocate and assign spectrum.

Satellite or orbit spectrum is a segment of a radio spectrum that becomes available when satellites are placed into orbit. This spectrum