Telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that support to the mobile industry will continue as govt wants at least four-five players to back up the country’s digital infrastructure. Also, amid a debate around satellite communications and entry of new players such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, the minister said satcom services will help complete mobile coverage across the country. “We want a telecom sector where we don’t have a limited number of players… (and) therefore support to this industry is extremely important,” he told TOI in an interview. Excerpts:
Govt has given several bailouts to the telecom industry and many feel Vodafone Idea and BSNL have been a drain on exchequer. How long will the support continue?
If you look at any of the steps that we have taken to support or provide relief, it has been given for every player across the spectrum. Obviously, it has supported BSNL the most, but it has also supported other players, including the recent decision of bank guarantee waiver. We want a vibrant telecom sector. We want a telecom sector where we don’t have a limited number of players… it’s very important to have at least four-five players in this industry. Therefore, support to this industry is extremely important. Don’t forget that in next decade, this industry is going to become the linchpin of India’s rise on world stage.
Apart from the terrestrial networks, what’s the role that you see for OTT communication services (such as WhatsApp/Telegram/Facetime calling) and also satcom players, such as Starlink?
All these will be complementary to existing networks. There is no single media that is going to satisfy every single customer across the world. You’re seeing symbiotic/synergistic technologies being used across the world to ensure 100% saturation. Satellite, in many ways, is going to be very, very complementary to ‘bouquet of technologies’ that is going to provide 100% accessibility across the length and breadth of our country. So, 5G today is in 99% of our districts with 82% of our population. We need to connect the balance 1% districts and 18% of our population.
Telecom companies have sought ‘same service, same rules’, saying OTT communication services should be governed by same regulations, especially on interception and law enforcement matters. Why the discrepancy?
This is something that Trai is looking at. It’s not my job to say anything when something is under the regulatory lens. When it comes to satcom, we’ve seen intense lobbying from incumbent telecos, which are demanding auctions, in line with how they buy spectrum? All these when the new telecom law mandates administrative allocation. Where is the disconnect? Please understand that technologically there’s a big difference between spectrum for terrestrial networks and spectrum allocated to satellite-based, non-terrestrial networks. For, terrestrial networks, you can allocate frequencies exclusively which can’t be used by others. But when you get into higher satellite frequencies, that spectrum cannot be allocated to a single entity. It is shared. So, how do you auction something that’s shared? You can’t. If you look across the world, there is not a single country today where satellite spectrum is auctioned. It’s all allocated administratively. This has been debated ad nauseam in India and the first schedule in Telecom Act 2023 clearly mentions that satcom spectrum will be allocated administratively. Price of that spectrum is going to be decided by Trai, after which it will be allocated administratively.
What is your view on entry of new satcom players such as Starlink?
India is open to everyone. Everyone, who comes here and applies for a licence and fulfils all norms, will be granted one. There is a pro forma for a licence. If any company wants to apply, we are more than happy and welcome them. Let them fulfil all the norms, and they will get a license. The Regulatory process is clear.