OneWeb Disregards Jio’s Claim of Auction for Spectrum Being a Global Trend

In a new development regarding the 5G spectrum auctions, the low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite operator OneWeb has told TRAI that there wasn’t any auction of spectrum for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) in Brazil, and it is most likely not going to happen in Mexico, Saudi Arabia or Thailand as well. This submission from Bharti-backed satellite operator discredits the claims made by Jio that the auction of spectrum for broadband-from-space is gaining popularity across the globe. In a recent submission, Jio had rather urged TRAI to allocate spectrum for broadband-from-space services only via auctions following the global trend and “discard all demands” of global players who are looking for allocation of airwaves via the administrative process.

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OneWeb Backs Administrative Process for Allocation

According to a report from ET Telecom, Chief of Government, Regulatory Affairs and Engagement for OneWeb Communications, Christopher McLaughlin has written a letter to TRAI without directly naming Jio, stating that a submission has claimed that auctions have been carried out in several countries but has confused either intentionally or mistakenly, the auction for domestic satellite orbital slots from that administration with its geostationary satellites.

In the submission made a few days ago, Jio also cited the examples of countries like Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Thailand and Brazil, which have opted for auctions as a mode of allocating spectrum. The telco stated that auctions of the spectrum are feasible and is also gaining popularity globally. OneWeb disproving the claim mentioned in the submission from Jio, stated that the company is already building earth station gateways in all the four mentioned countries and has even received spectrum authorization through the regular administrative process.