Satcom Players Want USOF, Telcos Don’t Like That

The telecom operators don’t like that satcom players are eyeing on the USOF. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) recently urged the government to use the USOF for subsidising smartphones for select group of people so that even the low-income users who can’t afford a decent 4G smartphone can purchase one.

Highlights

  • The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is still working on the pricing of the different spectrum bands.
  • The Universal Service Obligations Fund (USOF) was set up in 2003.
  • The telecom operators don’t like that satcom players are eyeing at the USOF.

Follow Us

Satcom Players

The Universal Service Obligations Fund (USOF) was set up in 2003 with the aim to provide subsidies to operators and help expand connectivity in rural and remote areas of the country. Now, the satellite communications (satcom) players want access to the USOF. Starlink, one of the major satellite broadband service providers owned by SpaceX, is expected to launch commercial services in India in 2022. Starlink has asked the government to tap into the USOF for funding the first-year cost of setting up and installing the Starlink hardware.




Telcos Want Govt to Treat Satcom Not More than What It Is

The telecom operators don’t like that satcom players are eyeing the USOF. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), recently urged the government to use the USOF for subsidising smartphones for a select group of people so that even the low-income users who can’t afford a decent 4G smartphone can purchase one.

Not only Ambani but also P Balaji, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Idea (Vi), urged the government to keep India an operator-led broadband and rural coverage country. Balaji requested the government to not treat the satellite systems in any special way as it is just a jump technology model for reaching the floating population or for specific inhospitable terrains.

The telcos are also not happy about the demand for administrative allocation of the spectrum from the satcom players. Telecom operators want the government to give spectrum to every player involved in a uniform and transparent manner through an auction. The satcom players are arguing that it would be unprecedented, and even the other nations don’t give satcom sector spectrum through auctions, but administrative allocation.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is still working on the pricing of the different spectrum bands. Things for the industry should be clear soon enough as the spectrum auctions are expected to take place between April and June 2022.

Reported By

Editor in Chief

Tanay is someone with whom you can chill and talk about technology and life. A fitness enthusiast and cricketer, he loves to read and write.

Recent Comments

Faraz :

Does Bharti Hexacom provide Airtel 5G services in N.E and Rajasthan Or Both are offering 5G seperately ? Who bought…

Bharti Hexacom IPO Set for April 3, TCIL to Sell…

Faraz :

Nice.. & BSNL 60 Mbps is even perfect plan for many if there are more than 5 devices connected. Many…

BSNL 60 Mbps Plan is Likely One of the Best…

Faraz :

Budget phones have degraded more than any other budget phones since pandemic. They are still selling some craps like Helio…

POCO C61 to Launch on March 26, 2024

shivraj roy :

i feel Vi has improved than what it was in 2022 i usually get around 8-10mbps in very heavily dense…

5G Users Consuming 3.6 Times More Data than 4G Users…

biswadeepmondal :

JioAir Fiber is working very well in KPA & HLR. Sadly they don't have any data only plan.

REP: Airtel Expands Network Footprint in Bankura District of West…

Load More
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments