Airtel Clarifies Licencing and Reaffirms Commitment to Satcom Services

News Desk, News Nation 360 : Airtel, India's largest mobile telecom operator, renewed its commitment to the growth of satellite communication services in the country. In a statement issued recently, it clarified its position on discussions that have been doing rounds lately on Satcom spectrum allocation. The company has said it has always maintained that telecommunications satcom technology could be crucial in bridging the digital divide and providing high-speed broadband connectivity to remote areas. For example, the company already has a strategic alliance with Eutelsat OneWeb-one of the world's leading global satellite operators create a LEO constellation that will provide satcom services in India and Africa. On this initiative, while Airtel is aggressively pursuing this initiative, it seeks clarity on the licensing process applicable to satcom operators who wish to serve urban areas and retail customers. The company argued that such operators would require a license, and acquisition of spectrum and would have to go through all the regulatory procedures in India akin to mobile operators. Airtel's statement comes at a time when there have been raging debates on the allocation of Satcom spectrum and the place of satellite operators in the country's telecom scenario. Thus, by reaffirming its commitment to satcom services and seeking a clear regulatory framework, Airtel will be a contributor toward furthering the growth of digital infrastructure in the country.