Airtel Satellite Telecom Services Ready for Rollout in India: Report

Airtel satellite telecom services are ready for rollout in India, with the company now awaiting the government’s approval, according to Rajan Bharti Mittal, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, ANI reported. Sunil Bharti Mittal, previously said the company is fully prepared to launch satellite communication (Satcom) services to reach every corner of the country.

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Also Read: Satcom Need to Be Bound by the Same Regulations as Telecom, Says Sunil Bharti Mittal

Airtel’s Satcom Services

“In India, we are waiting for, as you know, the spectrum allocation to be done. Both our stations are ready, one in Gujarat and one in Tamil Nadu. The base stations are ready. So as soon as we get permission, we will be launching in India as well,” Rajan Bharti Mittal said in an interview with the World Economic Forum, as quoted in the report.

Bharti Enterprises has already launched 635 satellites and is providing services in other parts of the world, Mittal reportedly added.

Spectrum Allocation Debate

Regarding the debate on spectrum allocation via administrative processes versus auctions, Mittal reportedly reiterated Bharti Airtel’s position, emphasising that satellite companies should be required to pay licensing fees and acquire spectrum through auctions, similar to traditional telecom operators.

Connectivity for Remote Areas

“We are all saying it should be a level playing field. The unconnected areas where the terrestrial networks cannot go, this is a great provider of services especially for broadband. So it must be kept in mind that the Satcom services which are being given in far-flung areas and also in maritime or defense or other areas, that should have a different kind of a playing field,” he reportedly said.