India will press ahead with the expansion of the mobile satellite network
3. June 2020The Indian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRAI) has issued a position paper recommending the use of satellites for the provision of mobile communications in rural areas. The satellite connection should serve as a backhaul for the mobile phone transmitters and use so-called compact satellite receivers (VSAT). A backhaul is the connection of a subordinate network node, in this case mobile phone transmitters, to a central network node such as a broadband Internet access. Compact satellite receivers (VSAT) usually have a parabolic antenna with a diameter of less than 3.8 meters and support data transmission rates of 4 Kbit/s up to 16 Mbit/s. The systems are to be operated under a special government authorization for a limited number of network providers.
As early as August 2019, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) requested the TRAI to create the corresponding framework conditions for the licensing of network operators and the granting of licenses. This should enable network operators to carry out their communications and data transmission via satellites as a backhaul to local satellite receivers and mobile phone transmitters. According to the DoT, this technology is to be used for the provision of Internet and voice connections in rural areas where there is no or insufficient network coverage to date.
Currently, there is no mobile phone service provider in India that covers the entire subcontinent. According to analyses by Speedtest Inc., the provider Reliance Jio has an availability of 98 percent, followed by Airtel and Vodafone with 90 and 85 percent respectively. In a previous press release dated September 2018, Reliance Jio has already announced that it is setting up a satellite communications network with Hughes Communications India Limited (HCIL). The Hughes JUPITER system can provide a 4G/LTE network via satellite link. In India, telecommunications equipment, which may be end-user devices or infrastructure, requires mandatory TEC or WPC certification. We would be happy to advise you whether and which India certification applies to your products and carry out the certification for you.
For more information regarding the WPC certification, please read our free information booklet “WPC Certification – The Booklet“.
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