Big Tech, satcom firms rebut telcos' stance on spectrum

Say there can't be a level-playing field after telco body calls Trai's satcom airwaves pricing low

- Jatin Grover

Tensions are escalating between telecom operators and major technology and satellite firms over the sector regulator's recent recommendations to the government on satellite spectrum pricing.

Rebutting the operators' claims that the regulator kept the spectrum pricing low and non-transparent, Google, Meta, OneWeb, Hughes, Amazon, Tata's Nelco, among others, have argued that the argument for a "level playing field" between satellite-based communication services and terrestrial networks is both legally unsound and factually incorrect.

The Broadband India Forum (BIF), which represents Big Tech and satellite companies, wrote to the Centre on Wednesday that there was no question of a level playing field, given the vast differences in technologies, services, infrastructure costs, and spectrum assignment methods.

"The association (read the Cellular Operators Association of India) has made misleading submissions to block entry of legitimate next-generation satellite services and deny consumers their constitutional and fundamental right to exercise a choice of services and service providers," said TV Ramachandran, president of BIF, in a letter to telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal. Mint has seen a copy of the letter.