The Ministry of Communications has rejected claims circulating on social media that India's regulatory framework for satellite communication services is being applied in a discriminatory manner.
The Ministry said the Government has put in place a fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework for telecommunications services, including satellite communication services.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
The Communications Ministry rejected claims of discrimination in India's satcom regulatory framework.
Three entities have been granted GMPCS licences.
Security assessments for all three licensees are underway.
Completion of the security process allows an eligible licensee to proceed to seek spectrum assignment.
The Ministry said all three entities are broadly at the same regulatory stage.
According to the Ministry, licences have been granted to three entities for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services based on non-geostationary satellite orbit-based satellite communications.
The Ministry said each licensee is required to demonstrate compliance with security conditions under the terms of its licence. Security assessments for all three licensees are currently underway.
It said that after completion of the security assessment process, a licensed entity may proceed to the next stage of seeking spectrum assignment.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The regulatory process is a key step for satellite communication providers seeking to offer services in India, with security compliance and spectrum assignment forming part of the process.
The Ministry further said that all three entities are currently at broadly the same regulatory stage. It described suggestions that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory as baseless and misconceived.
