The use of satellites in the past has been limited due to size, cost & complexity. However, the satellite industry is currently witnessing significant changes that will dramatically change the way we use satellite technologies. New GEO (Geostationary) and LEO (Low Earth Orbit) communications satellite technologies are expected to provide cost effective communications solutions to support mobile broadband internet access in places where it has never been possible before. However, this depends on the availability of the right spectrum which is a rare and valuable resource. All spectrum allocation discussions for the satellites are within the ambit of the ITU and that provides a regulatory certainty for the industry to grow and flourish.

World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) are normally held every three to four years to review and revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum, including services using satellite orbits. At these WRCs, countries negotiate changes to the international Radio Regulations to accommodate new spectrum-dependent technologies and promote the efficient use of spectrum. There are many important issues relating to the new satellite technologies that will be addressed at the forthcoming World Radio Conference in 2023. There are several agenda items of WRC-23 that will address satellite related spectrum and regulatory issues that will enable the next generation of GSO (Geosynchronous orbit) and NGSO (Non-Geostationary) satellite services, including ESIMs.

In India, the National Preparatory Committee (NPC) set up by the Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing (WPC) of the Department of Telecommunications, has been meeting regularly to prepare national proposals, where various stakeholders participate and work to achieve national consensus. Recent APT preparatory meetings for WRC-23 (APG) and the APT Wireless Group (AWG) have discussed these issues and it is important to properly understand and communicate the outcomes of these meetings to the relevant stakeholders.

Towards this, the IAFI is hosting a national workshop on preparation for next year’s WRC-23 for various satellite related agenda items on 12th September in New Delhi as a physical event. In addition, the event will also focus on how to maximize the potential of satellite broadband in India, and the way forward on related regulatory issues.