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Elon Musk calls Reliance Jio’s request for spectrum auction “unprecedented”, citing ITU norms.
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Musk’s Starlink and Ambani’s Reliance Jio compete for dominance in India’s emerging satellite broadband market.
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TRAI to decide on spectrum allocation or auction, with Reliance pushing for auction and Starlink advocating for allocation.
Elon Musk, CEO of Starlink, has criticized Reliance Jio’s request for a spectrum auction in India, calling it “unprecedented”. Musk’s comments come after reports that Reliance Jio is lobbying the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for an auction. According to Musk, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) designates this spectrum as shared for satellite use.
The debate revolves around the allocation or auction of spectrum for satellite broadband services. Reliance Jio argues that an auction would create a level playing field, allowing traditional telecom players to compete fairly. In contrast, Starlink advocates for administrative allotment of licenses, aligning with global practices. The Indian government is a signatory to the ITU treaty, which emphasizes the allocation of spectrum in a “rational, efficient, and economic” manner.
The competition between Starlink and Reliance Jio has escalated, with both companies vying for dominance in India’s emerging satellite broadband market. TRAI is expected to make a decision on the spectrum allocation or auction, with Reliance pushing for transparency in the process. The outcome will significantly impact the future of satellite broadband in India.
As the regulatory debate continues, Musk’s comments highlight the importance of adhering to ITU norms and global practices in spectrum allocation. The decision will shape India’s telecom landscape and determine the trajectory of satellite broadband services in the country.
NEWS: Reliance Jio – India’s #1 telco with 480 million subscribers – is challenging the administrative allocation of spectrum to @Starlink by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) 🇮🇳
Reliance says satellite broadband spectrum should be auctioned (not allocated)… pic.twitter.com/WxejOzRZE1
— ALEX (@ajtourville) October 14, 2024
