The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on October 26, 2022, issued the guidelines for establishing satellite-based communication network(s). The said guidelines have been divided into two chapters i.e., Chapter-I specifies the Licensing regime of DoT for satellite-based communication services and Chapter II specifies the Process for seeking in-principle clearance and other approvals for establishing a satellite-based communication network by a licensee.
The following have been stated in Chapter-I:
The Satellite-based communication services can be provided within the respective scope of the following licenses/authorizations issued under Section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885:
• Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) Service authorization under a Unified License
• VSAT CUG Service authorization under Unified License for commercial service
• In-Flight and Maritime Connectivity (IFMC) Service authorization
• Captive VSAT CUG license
• National Long Distance (NLD) Service authorization under a Unified License
It stated that satellite-based connectivity can also be provided under other authorizations of the Unified License, viz. Access Service as per the scope of the respective license.
To apply for the license(s)/authorization(s) under the Unified License, an online application can be made on the web portal www.saralsanchar.gov.in. The applicants can fill up the prescribed application form and upload the documents and application form with a digital signature. The processing and all the communication to/from the applicants are online.
The following have been stated in Chapter -II:
Providing any satellite-based communication service to the public or setting up a satellite-based network is a multi-stakeholder process that requires close coordination among the Department of Space (DoS), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (Mol&B), Department of Telecommunications (DOT) Satellite Licensing division, Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing, Network Operations & Control Center (NOCC).
The following entities have been stated for seeking separate authorization/permissions:
• Service license or appropriate authorization from DoT under the Indian Telegraph Act
• Space segment assignment to render the services through DoS/NSIL or space segment provider duly authorized by DoS/IN-SPACE,
• Frequency assignment [Decision Letter (DL), SACFA clearance, & Wireless Operating License] from WPC.
• Carrier plan approval and up-linking permission from NOCC.
• Security clearance (wherever applicable)
An Inter-Ministerial Committee for Satellite Network Clearance (IMC-SNC), formerly known as the Apex Committee, was established to bring these organizations together and to provide a centralised setting for the issuance of "in-principle clearance" for proposed networks. If the application is in order, the Satellite Licensing division of the DoT grants the applicant in-principle clearance for establishing the satellite-based network on the advice of IMC-SNC.
The applicant company must obtain in principle clearance if it has the necessary licenses and authorizations and wants to build a new network or modify an existing one. The goal of the IMC-SNC examination is to ensure that, once the DoT issues the in-principle clearance, the subsequent issuance of clearances by individual units is carried out quickly to avoid delays in the operationalization of the satellite network (s).
Disclaimer – Kindly find the detailed guidelines in the provided Link/Document.
[File No. 60-SATCOM Plan/DoS/2020-SAT]
