OneWeb will add immense value to Telcos: Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer, Airtel

We will distribute this through our partners. Our aim is to start services in the country later this year. We have also entered into an agreement with ISRO, where we will be using ISRO’s PSLV and new rocket GSLV Mac III

Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer, Bharti Airtel, shared his perspectives on the topic of Space Race and Ground Realities at the TLF event this year. He appreciated the theme “Era of convergence: from 5G to GenZ”.

“India is set to join the 5G league of nations this year and at Airtel, we are really excited as our network is 5G ready.”

In the space segment, the Bharti Group has taken a giant leap by investing in OneWeb, a global constellation of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites for beaming down broadband and Internet into the remotest parts of the world.

“We are partnering with the best to bring connectivity to hitherto unconnected parts of the world through our LEO satellites,” said Vatts.

Private participation in Space communication sector opens up multiple opportunities for India. The Indian share is hardly 2.6% in 2020, whereas India’s Space economy is likely to reach $12.8 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of more than 6%

Space is the next frontier

Space is the next frontier for mankind. From interplanetary travel to setting up broadband networks in the sky, the aim is to connect everyone to a better future.

India has been one of the world’s leading Space innovators and is an important international player in space technology. We are moving towards increasing our country’s capacity and capability to use space technology products and services for societal applications as well as commercial space activities.

The Indian space program is one of the world’s fastest-growing. India’s Space sector has grown in the last decade to include TV and broadband services, Space science, exploration, Space-based navigation, defense and security applications, and applications in schools and hospitals. Overall, we have seen an increase in investments in Space technology, products, and services.

The government of India, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has unleashed bold reforms for the Space industry. These include the setting up of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) which is the nodal regulatory agency under the Department of Space. The PM had also asked the industry to look at forming an Association that can complement the efforts of the Government and unlocks the benefits of the Space reforms process. One of these is to encourage the participation of private enterprises and ease of doing business.

This is a fresh approach to generate participation and views from the private sector to accelerate the growth of India’s space industry and make it a global hub.

The industry responded to this demand. The Hon. PM, at the launch of ISPA or Indian Space Association, appreciated this and said that the Government was following an approach that had four pillars: freedom of innovation to the private sector, Government as an enabler, Future-ready talent, and Space as a resource for the citizens and common man.

The time for linear innovation is over. It is time for exponential growth. “We strongly echo the views of the Government that India has the potential to become a major player in Space,” said Rahul Vatts.

Space is a $360 billion industry globally. India has the potential to become a technology leader in this “Space”. We are at a tipping point for the satellite industry’s growth in India. All industries and technologies need to work in harmony to fulfill the vision of global connectivity, and broadband for all.

The Space race has started and accelerating every day with powerful, large countries moving their Space agenda. Government support is therefore critical. We have the skills and infrastructure in the form of ISRO to grow our share of global marketing, bring high-end technology into the country, and create skilled jobs.

We have submitted our inputs to the government on the draft Spacecom Policy. We have also been participants in the TRAI consultation papers which have been very timely.

Private participation in the Space communication sector opens up multiple opportunities for India. The Indian share is hardly 2.6% in 2020, whereas India’s Space economy is likely to reach $12.8 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of more than 6%.

On the possible conflicts with Mobile and existing operators, Rahul said, “Our view is that Satellite companies and Telcos can co-exist and work together.” In fact, this is of immense value for Telcos and critical for satellite services.

Final clarity on the new Spacecom policy is awaited. “We have submitted our inputs to the government on the draft Spacecom Policy. We have also been participants in the TRAI consultation papers which have been very timely.”

OneWeb Launch

“As a major investor in OneWeb, Bharti group is leading the private satellite revolution in India. OneWeb will bring connectivity to every square inch of the country, connecting the remotest and most difficult to reach parts from Jaisalmer to the hills of the Northeast. And, from the Indian Ocean all the way up to the North. OneWeb has already launched nearly 400 satellites, and a total of 650 plus LEO satellites will be finally launched,” he said.

Rahul also said that OneWeb services can add immense value to Telcos in the form of backhaul for 5G in remote areas – thereby serving the industry for better delivery of services. It will also be an enabler for use cases in maritime, aviation, and defense.

“We will distribute this through our partners. Our aim is to start services in the country later this year. We have also entered into an agreement with ISRO, where we will be using ISRO’s PSLV and new rocket GSLV Mac III.

Policy and Regulatory Mechanisms

There are some important Regulatory areas that need attention.

Demand for satellite-based communications is considerable. It will grow with the implementation of initiatives like 5G, and IoT. The space communications sector will be able to harness these opportunities with enabling policy and regulatory frameworks.

Our National Digital Communication Policy clearly identified the complementary role of satellites: “It is necessary to explore and utilize the opportunities presented by next-generation networks like 5G and other pioneering network technologies, including satellite communication,” We are hopeful and positive about the space sector.

To launch the services in India, we would need landing rights and set up ground stations. For setting up a Gateway, we are required to apply for a service license. The time has come to change this perhaps to a registration certificate, and the service license may be used for providing a service in retail. The regulatory approval process should also be simple. IN-SPACe is going to ensure that processes are not duplicated. It should address the genuine concerns of a single-window system for getting clearances. We are at very advanced stages of discussions for approval with the Government, the Department of Telecom, and ISRO.

India needs a policy mix that nurtures and secures the private industry. A policy that promotes ease of doing business, keeps the cost of rollout low, and reduces the cost of compliance. The sector is being opened for the first time for the private ecosystem.

It is absolutely critical that we follow the global best practices. We should follow the ITU radio regulations and prioritize satellite spectrum allocations in the way that the ITU has decided,

We have to have a simple and predictable policy regime. Therefore, the policy must ensure a level playing field, be non-discriminatory, fair, and consistent.

Spectrum critical

Rahul Vatts also said that Spectrum is a very critical part as spectrum capabilities will be the lifeline for the Space and Satellite sectors. “It is absolutely critical that we follow the global best practices. We should follow the ITU radio regulations and prioritize satellite spectrum allocations in the way that the ITU has decided,” he said.

Existing regulatory changes also need to be rationalized including the cost of expensive bandwidth. There should be support available from the USO fund subsidy to connect the unconnected villages and rural remote areas on satellite services.

With Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the focus has again shifted to achieving sustainable development through local manufacturing. Thus, for the Space sector in India, the time is ripe for the formulation of industry-friendly policies.

We need to make the Regulatory Impact Assessment a standard practice from day one to assess the benefits to industry and country.