{"id":61583,"date":"2025-12-13T18:50:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T13:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=61583"},"modified":"2025-12-15T15:05:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T09:35:41","slug":"spectrum-fight-in-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/13-12-2025\/spectrum-fight-in-space","title":{"rendered":"New Fight for Spectrum in Space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Governance, GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The rapid expansion of satellite megaconstellations, driven by soaring demand for high-speed connectivity, has intensified the global race for limited spectrum and orbital slots.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"4d4543\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"572\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-86-572x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-61584\" style=\"--dominant-color: #4d4543; aspect-ratio:0.5581337403058523;width:271px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-86-572x1024.png 572w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-86-167x300.png 167w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-86-768x1376.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-86-857x1536.png 857w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-86.png 893w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Satellite Spectrum?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Satellite spectrum refers to the <strong>radio frequencies<\/strong> used for satellite communications.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These frequencies enable satellite-based systems to <strong>transmit data and signals between satellites<\/strong> in orbit and ground stations.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unlike terrestrial spectrum, satellite spectrum operates without national territorial limits and is managed globally by the <strong>International Telecommunications Union (ITU).\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Satellite spectrum is divided into different frequency bands, each suited for specific types of communication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spectrum allocation in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Spectrum for satcom<\/strong> is part of the first schedule of<strong> The Telecommunications Act, 2023 <\/strong>(\u201cAssignment of spectrum through administrative process\u201d).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Under Section 4(4)<\/strong> of the Act, telecom spectrum shall be assigned through auction \u201cexcept for entries listed in the <strong>First Schedule <\/strong>for which assignment shall be done by administrative process\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Administrative process<\/strong> under the Act means assignment of spectrum without holding an auction (a bid process for assignment of spectrum).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fight for Spectrum in Space<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Spectrum Congestion:<\/strong> Ku, Ka, and L bands are in extremely high demand. Overlapping frequencies risk interference, reducing service quality and threatening critical functions such as GPS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Orbital Crowding and Debris:<\/strong> Over 40,000 tracked objects already orbit Earth, including 27,000+ pieces of debris larger than 10 cm.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Projections show 50,000+ satellites may orbit by 2030, increasing collision risks and complicating scientific observations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The ITU\u2019s first-come, first-served system <\/strong>favours well-resourced spacefaring nations and companies that can file early and manage complex coordination, leaving late entrants with fewer and less valuable spectrum\u2013orbit options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital Divide and Affordability:<\/strong> LEO satellites offer <strong>low latency (20\u201340 ms),<\/strong> enabling telemedicine and online education.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>But affordability remains a challenge as Starlink terminal costs <strong>$600, <\/strong>unaffordable for most rural populations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ITU estimates that bridging global digital gaps will require <strong>$2.6\u20132.8 trillion by 2030.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Consequences of the Unregulated Spectrum Race<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Technological Consequences:<\/strong> Increased interference reduces reliability of services such as remote sensing, GPS, and climate observation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scientific astronomy faces disruptions due to bright satellite trails and radio noise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Consequences: <\/strong>Early movers may establish monopolies in satellite broadband markets. <strong>Spectrum scarcity<\/strong> raises the cost of deployment for late entrants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geopolitical Consequences:<\/strong> Unequal access to spectrum deepens the strategic divide between advanced and developing nations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social Consequences: <\/strong>Without affordability reforms, satellite Internet may become premium infrastructure serving wealthy users, not underserved communities. This undermines its potential to reduce the global digital gap.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reforms under World Radiocommunication Conference<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 introduced key reforms through <strong>Resolution 8,<\/strong> requiring operators to report any deviation between planned and actual orbital deployments to<strong> prevent misuse of filings.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also set <strong>phased deployment benchmarks<\/strong> for megaconstellations, <strong>10% within two years, 50% within five years, and full deployment within seven years<\/strong>, to ensure timely and accountable use of spectrum and orbital resources.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The spectrum\u2013orbit race demands updated global governance to balance innovation with sustainability, ensuring transparent coordination, stronger debris mitigation, and equitable access.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For emerging spacefaring nations like India, active participation in shaping these norms is crucial to keep outer space sustainable and inclusive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>International Telecommunications Union (ITU)<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; The ITU is a specialised agency of the <strong>United Nations with 194<\/strong> member states.\u00a0<br>&#8211; <strong>Founded in 1865 <\/strong>to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, it serves as the<strong> sole global coordinator for satellite spectrum<\/strong> and <strong>orbital slots<\/strong>.<br>a. <strong>India<\/strong> has been a member of <strong>ITU since 1869.<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Functions:<\/strong> It allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits.<br>a. It develops the <strong>technical standards <\/strong>that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide.\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/satellites-science-and-the-new-fight-for-spectrum-in-space\/article70380429.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The rapid expansion of satellite megaconstellations, driven by soaring demand for high-speed connectivity, has intensified the global race for limited spectrum and orbital slots.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>What is Satellite Spectrum?<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Satellite spectrum refers to the radio frequencies used for satellite communications.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">These frequencies enable satellite-based systems to transmit data and signals between satellites in orbit and ground stations.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Unlike terrestrial spectrum, satellite spectrum operates without national territorial limits and is managed globally by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Satellite spectrum is divided into different frequency bands, each suited for specific types of communication<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/13-12-2025\/spectrum-fight-in-space\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61583"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61588,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61583\/revisions\/61588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}