Space technologies offer convergence, can put spectrum to use: Rajaraman

New technologies such as satellite communication or satcom can efficiently utilise airwaves to deliver services, a top official Wednesday said.

“New technologies (satcom) promises convergence and spectrum deployed should be better put to use,” K Rajaraman, secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said, adding that space communications can play an important role in fulfilment of national goals including economic inclusion.

Rajaraman was speaking at the India Space Congress 2022, organised by Satcom Industry Association (SIA) India.

Early this year, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended the co-existence of terrestrial networks and satellite systems in millimetre wave (mmWave) band.

In the Department of Telecommunications, we are working on the digital inclusion which is an important subordinate goal. There are still coverage gaps in the country. Nearly 30,000 villages will be covered in next year following the Cabinet’s approval, the official said.

In July this year, the Cabinet headed by prime minister Narendra Modi approved digital connectivity in 29,616 unconnected villages through 19,722 towers at a cost of Rs Rs 26,000 crores.

Rajaraman said that the use of digital technologies combined with national identity Aadhaar, and Jan Dhan, India has brought in tremendous results specially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Technology is great transformer and that disrupts economy by timely delivering of services and eliminates corruption,” he said.

Further, he said that in the BharatNet program, the government has employed as many as 7,000 VSAT to reach out to remotest areas.

The top official said that the cost of logistics can be cut down to 5-6% through the use of NB-IoT, driven by satellite communications (satcom).

“The combination of production-linked incentive scheme and Univwrsal Service Obligation Fund-driven R&D fund will be able to fulfil India’s ambition,” he said.

Rajaraman said that companies should come forward to set up fabless manufacturing units in the country backed by the MeitY-driven mission.

“DoT is working to cut down red tape and exempted a captive fee of Rs 10,000 per terminal per year,” he added.

Global space economy stands at $370 billion which is expected to reach to $642 billion by 2030, according to Euroconsult.

S Somnath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said that the idea for reforms was to create an economy of scale.

“The intent of government with the upcoming policy is to make companies invest invest in the sector,” he said.

The official said there is a need to create ecosystem and businesses in India should look at areas which are not serviced yet.

Further, Somnath said that the country builds two rockets every year that should go upto six, and the industrial ecosystem should start building satellites.

“Indian space sector is in deep transformative change. The rapid growth potential are making it well positioned to capitalise on new opportunities,” Nathan De Ruiter, managing director, Euroconsult said.

Chief Scientist Advisor at the Department of International Trade of UK Mike Short said that the industry needs to work on cost, content and coverage so that people can have access to Internet.