Indian Space Association wrote a letter to the government demanding a single license policy for telecom companies

News Topical, Digital Desk : Ever since the government has expressed its intention to allow satellite-based telecom companies to operate in India, tensions are growing between the country's existing telecom companies and new technology-based companies.

In such a situation, the Indian Space Association (ISPA), an organization of companies providing satellite-based telecommunication services, has demanded from the government that there should be a unified, technology neutral licensing policy for licensing in the communication sector. That is, companies providing communication services should be given the same type of license irrespective of the technology.

COAI also wrote a letter to the government

It is being told that the Department of Telecommunications is already discussing this matter. ISPA has written a detailed letter to the Central Government regarding its demands. In this, regulatory reforms have been demanded in the space and telecommunication sector. A few days ago, COAI, an organization of mobile service provider companies, also wrote a letter to the government and expressed its objection to giving license to satellite based communication companies.

It also warned of the danger of eliminating competition in the telecom sector. However, ISPA has recommended implementing a single-window system for network, frequency and import licensing. This will enable the launch of satellite-based communication services in a short time. It has also recommended taking necessary steps to harmonize the Telecom Act with the IT Act, Company Act, Data Protection (DPDP) Act, environmental and financial laws so that regulatory harmony is established.

Demand made for licensing framework

If this is not done, the different provisions in different laws are likely to create a lot of compliance problems. A key recommendation is to implement a unified, technology-neutral licensing framework with uniform obligations for telecom, broadcasting and digital platforms.

On financial stability and spectrum policy, ISPA has sought delinking of licence fee from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), reducing spectrum usage charges (SUC) and easing bank guarantee requirements for spectrum holdings prior to 2021. A five-year rolling spectrum roadmap, spectrum audit of PSUs and providing long-term spectrum usage rights of up to 40 years are also recommended to provide investment certainty and promote regional development.

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