Sample this \u2013 Facebook entered India in 2010. By 2014, they had 175 million users. And it took Airtel 15 years to get 150 million subscribers in the country! The growth of app ecosystem in India is prime example of technology adaptation. While there are many services that can count on mobile internet, there are key and at times life-saving services that has to depend on satellite communications. From gathering of high level intelligence to fight terrorism to movement of defence forces, from reaching remote terrains of the country to aviation communications, from weather prediction to unhindered tracking of logistics, satellite communication plays a key role. In essence, it is satellite communication that is bridging digital gap in real time.

My reason for such a long introduction is to harp on the fact how technology is transforming our lives. In the days to come, this transformation can be monumental if satellite powered broadband services are available to public at large. Mobile internet and connectivity has its inherent limitations. While we are talking about 5G in India, let\u2019s face the harsh reality \u2013 India\u2019s large population is still using 2G mobile services. As the government gears for spectrum allocations, the hot topic in regard to the same is around the future of the two key millimetre-wave bands for broadband use: the 26 GHz band and the 28 GHz band. Globally, while, 28 GHz band is allocated for advanced satellite broadband services and applications, 26 GHz is earmarked for terrestrial 5G. We hope India follows the same policy to allow to nurture two complimentary technologies. Allocating 28 GHz in full for satellite broadband use is a risk-free option for India \u2013 it is an already proven and existing solution globally that will enable millions of people, public services and businesses in India to get online anywhere, anytime.

As unified voice for satellite communication industry, SIA-India has been at the forefront to showcase the benefits of allocating 28 GHz exclusively to the satellite communication industry. It is via satellites that India\u2019s vast geographic areas can be covered in real-time. Satellites in geostationary orbit can use the same spectrum time and over again. This ensures fast and real time affordable services across the country. Needless to say, unlike terrestrial 5G, satellite broadband does not require expansive infrastructure on ground.

Ultra-High Throughput Satellites (UHTS) are a key enabler to achieve nationwide advanced connectivity and the reason is simple: satellite coverage footprints are directed from space, simultaneously reaching millions of people across the entire country. State-of-the-art UHTS can provide fibre-like broadband ubiquitously, both to fixed premises across the country and 5G-like connections for mobility uses.

Satellite broadband uses the 28 GHz millimetre-wave spectrum to deliver advanced connectivity across vast territories. Satellites are by design \u201cfibre connectivity from space\u201d. Satellite broadband can fill the gap left by low terrestrial fibre availability. It can lower the overall cost of broadband deployment. It can also bring connectivity to rural India without having to lay cables and can shortcut the slow process imposed by capital-intensive civic works required to get fixed and mobile broadband deployed everywhere. Satellite can provide cost-effective connectivity to entire communities by distributing reliable broadband service to Wi-Fi hot spots that let citizens enjoy satellite-powered connectivity through their smartphones and tablets anywhere in the country.

There is apprehension within the industry If the 28 GHz band is not allocated in full to satellite services as envisaged, it will limit the ability of the satellite infrastructure \u2013 Satellites, Ground Segment, Telemetry, tracking and Command infra, to carry the potential information payload to its capacity. At the very least the outcome is that it makes satellite communication operations very expensive and at worst scenario it renders SatCom economically unviable, depriving the country from exploiting this technology in achieving its full potential in nation digital connectivity.

It is therefore essential to make a balanced decision on the future of the 26 and 28 GHz millimetre-wave bands for India to unlock its digital future: it is win-win case to make 26 GHz band available for terrestrial 5G, and 28 GHz band available for satellite broadband as per global best practices as the satellite services are being offered at the same time to number of countries.","blog_img":"","posted_date":"2021-06-08 16:05:59","modified_date":"2021-06-08 16:05:59","featured":"0","status":"Y","seo_title":"Satellite is the key to 'broadband for all'","seo_url":"satellite-is-the-key-to-broadband-for-all","url":"\/\/www.iser-br.com\/tele-talk\/satellite-is-the-key-to-broadband-for-all\/4963","url_seo":"satellite-is-the-key-to-broadband-for-all"}">