Ambani’s Reliance lobbies India on satellite spectrum

Intensifying a face-off with Elon Musk’s Starlink, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance has argued that the telecom regulator incorrectly concluded that home satellite broadband spectrum should be allocated by New Delhi and not auctioned.

The debate over how to distribute spectrum for satellite services in India has been a contentious issue.

While Starlink and global players like Amazon’s Project Kuiper support administrative allocation, Reliance, which is vying to enter the satellite services space, advocates for an auction process.

The recent dispute is regarding interpretation of Indian law, which some industry experts claim facilitated last year's spectrum allocation as desired by Musk.

However, as per industry sources, Reliance is arguing that there are no provisions for satellite broadband services for individual or home users.  

While the telecom regulator, TRAI, is conducting a public consultation, Reliance, in a private letter dated October 10, requested that the process be restarted, arguing that the regulator has 'pre-emptively interpreted' spectrum allocation as the preferred approach instead of an auction.

“TRAI seems to have concluded, without any basis, that spectrum assignment should be administrative,” Reliance’s senior regulatory affairs official Kapoor Singh Guliani wrote in the letter to India’s telecoms minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Reliance in its letter said, which is not public, TRAI in its consultation paper suggested Indian laws require spectrum allocation for such services without conducting any supporting studies.

A senior TRAI official said that due process is being followed and Reliance is welcome to share feedback during the consultation period.

The recommendations of the watchdog will form the key basis for the government’s decision on the matter.

Tesla boss Musk is keen to launch Starlink in India, though a final decision on spectrum allocation remains a sticking point.

Starlink argues administrative allotment of licences is in line with a global trend. Reliance says an auction is needed for a level-playing field as foreign players could offer voice and data services and compete with traditional players, a news source reported.