Bridging India’s Digital Divide: Leveraging Satellite Technology for Inclusive Connectivity
Connecting the Unconnected: Satellite Technology transforming India’s Digital Landscape
Info graphics: Title – Digital Connectivity in India: A Glimpse
As per the SIA-India submission to National Communications Academy (NCA) on Draft Sub-Sector Policy on “Broadband for All”, India faces a significant digital divide, particularly in rural and remote areas. Despite efforts like the BharatNet initiative, which aims to provide high-speed internet to over 600,000 villages via optical fibre cables, progress has been slow. By May 2024, only 199,655 gram panchayats are connected, and just 6,243 out of 104,574 installed Wi-Fi hotspots are operational. This lack of infrastructure disproportionately affects marginalized communities, limiting their access to digital services. Satellite technology is seen as a viable solution to bridge this gap, especially in areas where fibre connectivity is impractical. While satellite connections have been implemented in over 6,000 remote sites, the scale remains limited. To overcome these challenges, policymakers must prioritize a mix of satellite, Wi-Fi, and other non-terrestrial technologies to ensure comprehensive digital connectivity across the country.
Preserving C-Band Frequencies: A Critical Step for India’s Satellite Services
SIA-India has called for the preservation of C-band frequencies (3700-4200 MHz) in its recent submission to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. C-band serves a critical role in broadcasting, the submission emphasized its significance for delivering television and radio signals, especially to remote areas. Carving out 100 MHz from the 3700-4200 MHz band would severely impact the broadcasting industry, forcing nearly 800 active channels into a narrower 400 MHz of C-band. This would make bandwidth scarce and expensive, potentially shutting down smaller regional channels and limiting access to government messages. The broadcasting sector, a significant employment generator in programming, editing, and distribution, would suffer, causing broader socio-economic impacts. Instead of reducing this critical band, regulatory certainty should be provided to support investment and long-term planning. The costs of reallocating the spectrum would be substantial, requiring new infrastructure and regulatory approvals, warranting thorough analysis.
Integrating Satellite Technology into Universal Service Funding Programs
Policymakers and industry experts agree that including satellite providers in broadband funding programs could significantly reduce subsidies for unserved areas and enhance the effectiveness of federal funding. Excluding satellite options leads to higher grants per location, longer wait times for underserved consumers, and increased overall spending on subsidies. This exclusion also stifles innovation and competition, hindering more efficient solutions. Ultimately, not incorporating satellite technology could delay efforts to achieve universal broadband access and widen the digital divide. Various countries have included satellite connectivity in their funding programs such as Indonesia’s BAKTI program, USA CAF Phase II, HughesNet in Brazil, Europe’s CEF, Malaysia’s USP framework, etc. In India, the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund has long been established to support rural connectivity. Historically managed by telecom providers, India should also include satellite service providers in deployment, as seen in other countries. A consistent viability gap funding mechanism would ensure timely digital connectivity in rural and underserved areas, optimizing funds and reducing the need for additional resources by using the most suitable technologies.
The TTDF, established under the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) by the Department of Telecom, invites proposals for various projects aimed at advancing telecommunications technology. Key areas of focus include:
Intelligent Village Initiative: Utilizing 5G technology to uplift rural communities. (Proposal Submission Deadline 7 Sep 2024)
Quantum Encryption Algorithm (QEA): Securing digital communications through quantum mechanics. (Proposal Submission Deadline: 29 Sep 2024)
Quantum Technology Labs: Developing standardisation and testing labs for quantum communication systems. (Proposal Submission Deadline: 4 Oct 2024)
For more information on eligibility, funding scope, evaluation criteria, and compliance requirements, please visit https://ttdf.usof.gov.in/ . For any queries regarding the TTDF schemes, please write to connect-ttdf@gov.in.
Technology and Innovation
NSPL to Launch India's First Private All-Weather Earth Observation Satellite Constellation
In a bid to strengthen India’s national security capabilities, NSPL has announced a groundbreaking initiative to develop the country’s first private, all-weather Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Over the next five to six years, NSPL plans to deploy 40 high-resolution satellites, providing comprehensive, real-time imagery and high revisit times to meet India’s evolving defence and strategic needs. The proposed constellation will offer end-to-end turnkey solutions for national defence, with flexible leasing and user-definable exploitation models for end users.
Logic Fruit Technologies Unveils Kritin iXD 6U VPX SBC for Aerospace and Defence
SIA-India member, Logic Fruit Technologies, has announced the launch of the Kritin iXD 6U VPX SBC, a robust single-board computer tailored for aerospace and defence applications. The Kritin iXD is designed to support various functions, including Radar Processing Units (RPU), Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) systems, Electronic Warfare (EW), and Mission Computing. This advanced board features Intel Xeon ICE LAKE D-1700 processors, AMD Xilinx FPGA, 100/40G Ethernet, and PCIe Gen4 interfaces, making it capable of managing high-performance workloads.
SIA-India Leaders Address Space Startups and Industry Challenges at NIAS Space Course
Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President of SIA-India, chaired a session on space startups during the NIAS Space Course focused on the space ecosystem for national security. The session included a discussion on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology and its military applications. Additionally, SIA-India Director General Mr. Anil Prakash offered valuable insights on the challenges facing the Indian space industry. The course provided a platform for in-depth exploration of current and future advancements in space technology, emphasizing its role in national security and strategic development.
SIA-India initiates Business-to-Business Collaborations in the Space Sector with African Nations
While government-to-government partnerships provide the foundational framework for space collaboration, the translation of these agreements into tangible outcomes requires a strong emphasis on business-to-business (B2B) interactions. Recognizing this necessity, the SIA-India is spearheading efforts to strengthen B2B ties in the global space sector.
SIA-India has initiated discussions with several African countries to enhance cooperation in the fields of satellite technology, Earth observation, and capacity building. These discussions are at creating a conducive environment for businesses to collaborate, innovate, and contribute to the development of space capabilities across regions. By promoting B2B engagements, SIA-India seeks to convert formal agreements into practical implementations, fostering mutual growth and technological advancement.
SIA-India joining World Space Business Week 2024 as Knowledge Partners
SIA-India is happy to be the Knowledge Partner at the Novaspace’s World Space Business Week (WSBW) 2024, scheduled from September 16th to 20th, 2024. Since its inception in 1997, WSBW has served as a premier platform for senior executives across the satellite value chain to engage with partners, financers, and clients. This event is recognized as the leading business gathering for global satellite and space professionals.
SIA-India Director General Visits ISRO's NETRA and Attends Book Presentation
Mr. Anil Prakash, Director General of SIA-India, recently visited ISRO's Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) in Bangalore, engaging in discussions with Dr. AK Anil Kumar, Associate Director of ISTRAC and Head of NETRA. The discussions focused on recent advancements in space situational awareness. During the visit, Mr. Sudhir C, Deputy Managing Director of The Hindu Group, presented the book "ISRO: Exploring New Frontiers - To the Moon, the Sun & Beyond" to Dr. Kumar. The presentation, which was attended by Mr. Prakash, highlighted ISRO's significant achievements and future plans in space exploration.
SIA-India Deputy Director General Co-Judges Space Startup Venture at Masters' Union
Mr. Rajeev Gambhir, Deputy Director General of SIA-India, recently co-judged the "Space Startup Venture" presentations at Masters' Union as part of the "Managing Complexities" program led by Ed Rogers, former Chief Knowledge Officer at NASA. Set in the year 2124, the students were tasked with envisioning a vibrant lunar economy for a colony of 1,200 inhabitants. Innovative pitches included healthcare solutions, lunar sports events, transport management, debris management, microgravity research, and currency exchange services. The students showcased creativity and fresh perspectives in addressing future space challenges.Top of Form
Announcements
IN-SPACe Amends Announcement of Opportunity for Indian Orbital Resources: Deadline Extended
IN-SPACe has announced key amendments to the recent Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for granting Indian Orbital Resources to Non-Government Entities (NGEs). The deadline for bid submissions, including both technical and price bids, has been extended from September 15, 2024, to September 30, 2024, at 14:00 hrs.
This rare opportunity from the Indian government opens valuable orbital slots and ITU filings to private players, with the INSAT-KA89ER filing positioned between 85.0°E and 93.0°E longitude and operating in Ka-band frequencies. As the Indian satellite communication sector is projected to grow from $2.3 billion to $20 billion by 2028, this strategic opportunity allows established companies to capitalise quickly on first-mover advantages, enhance global competitiveness, and diversify into high-tech space technologies.
IN-SPACe Invites Indian Space Companies to Network with Singapore Counterparts Following India-Singapore Space Industry Day
As a follow-up to the India-Singapore Space Industry Day held on July 31, 2024, IN-SPACe has provided a platform for networking opportunities between Indian and Singaporean space sectors. Presentations made by Singaporean entities are now accessible for review, along with a survey to gauge the status and progress of connections with the Singapore ecosystem.
To View India Singapore Space Industry Day Presentations: Please Go to Dashboard >> View India-Singapore Space Day Presentations
Short-Term Skill Development Course on Space Communication and Navigation
In line with the Government of India's space sector reforms, IN-SPACe, in collaboration with ISRO, has announced a unique short-term skill development course titled “Essentials of Space-based Communication and Navigation Systems.” This course, scheduled from September 29 to October 5, 2024, at the IN-SPACe Headquarters in Bopal, Ahmedabad, is designed to benefit participants from Non-Government Entities (NGEs) and academia.
Participants will be required to take a mandatory quiz on the final day, and successful participants will receive a course completion certificate. The course fee is ₹15,000 and can be remitted via https://bharatkosh.gov.in/
ReOrbit Completes Preliminary Design Review for UKKO Mission with ESA Collaboration
SIA-India member, ReOrbit, has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) phase for the UKKO mission in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). As part of ESA's InCubed program, the UKKO mission is set to revolutionize Earth Observation (EO) satellite capabilities. The mission will conduct an in-orbit demonstration showcasing ReOrbit's innovative avionics architecture and software stack, integrating a commercial EO customer's optical payload.
Three Indian Space Companies Selected for Techstars Fall 2024 Cohort
Recently, for the first time three Indian companies— Space Rickshaw and our members Pramatra Space and SkyServe AI have been chosen for the Techstars Fall 2024 cohort. Techstars Fall 2024, a startup accelerator, is one of the most diverse classes yet, hailing from four different countries with focus areas spanning much of the space sector from launch to downlink to quantum comms. The recognition grants SkyServe and Pramatra access to world-class mentorship, capital support, and the expansive Techstars global network. Their advancements in data processing systems and innovative space technologies highlight the burgeoning capabilities of India’s private space sector on the international stage.
"Government funding plays a pivotal role in developing backbone and broadband networks, often through stimulus packages or financing schemes. As digital divides challenge development and economic policy, intensified efforts are crucial to prevent widening digital inequality. Expanding digital literacy and making connectivity affordable for all is essential. The judicious use of Universal Service Obligation (USO) Funds and innovative financial models in the satellite sector can significantly advance digital expansion and deliver affordable mobile or fixed broadband to underserved communities."
Mr Anil Prakash Director General, SIA-India
Other National and International News
Satcom firms looks to tap $19 billion unserved broadband market in India
As the government works on the guidelines of satellite Internet services including its pricing and spectrum, an analysis by Morgan Stanley suggests that the satellite communication (satcom) companies could have a $19 billion (about Rs 1.6 lakh crore) revenue opportunity per annum from the unserved broadband market.
India’s Space Sector Delivers a $24 Billion Boost, Drives Job Growth, and Multiplies Economic Impact
Preliminary findings indicate that India’s space sector contributed about $60 billion as value added to India’s Gross Domestic Product from 2014-2023 and $24 billion as tax revenues to the Government. This is according to a study by Econ One and Novaspace that was released on August 23, 2024, at the National Space Day celebrations in New Delhi. The study was initiated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
