Department Of Telecommunications: The move by DoT comes in the wake of technology innovations in the field of satcom. Last month, Elon Musk-owned Starlink had announced sending six satellites with direct to cell capability into space. It would allow for mobile phone connectivity anywhere on earth.
"Terms and conditions in the licence will make it clear that spectrum taken administratively can t be used to serve retail mobile consumers," an official said. The DoT is expected to shortly write to Trai to provide the details on what terms and conditions should be incorporated in the licence.
Stressing its point of view to auction satellite spectrum, Reliance Jio has submitted to authorities, including regulator Trai, another legal opinion from a former Supreme Court judge who has opined that while there is no mandate, constitutional or otherwise, that natural resource allocation must be only by auction, it is certainly “a more preferable method”.
Reliance Jio has submitted that spectrum assignment between space-based and terrestrial networks must maximise public good and serve the greatest number of people.