Importance of Spectrum Availability and Stable Regulatory Framework for Future Development of Satellite Communication and Broadcasting Services

Paper number

IAC-07-B2.5.10

Author

Mr. A Bhaskaranarayana, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India

Coauthor

Mr. Srinivasan Sayeenathan, Indian Space Research Organisation Headquarters, India

Year

2007

Abstract

This paper highlights the importance and necessity of guaranteed availability of required spectrum and conducive regulatory environment for long-term development of Communication and Broadcasting Satellite Systems. Reaching the benefits of the developments in Satellite Communication and Broadcasting Technologies to the user will depend on orderly and focused growth profile in these areas on many fronts-- provision of innovative and value added services, upgradation of technology, development of necessary space systems and ground equipments, preparing the user to embrace the new technologies and applications by suitable trials and demonstration, implementation of economically viable  service  model and sustaining all these through the years of development cycle by ensuring necessary funding. Considering the long lead time required for planning, designing and building space systems and associated ground systems for providing new services/applications, it is very much necessary to ensure guaranteed availability of the required frequency spectrum with adequate bandwidth on a long-term basis supported by a stable regulatory environment.

At present, these two aspects have become very difficult due to competition for the spectrum from terrestrial systems and services. The situation may vary from country to country but, in an overall sense, Satcom and Satellite Broadcast services, which are unique in providing many services over vast geographical areas including remote areas face the threat of being marginalized or sometimes even being withdrawn. This will not only impact the provision of advanced communication and broadcast services using satellite medium, but more importantly, will prevent provision of critical societal applications like, Tele-Education, Tele-Medicines, Disaster relief communication, Security related communication for which the satellite medium is the only viable solution in most of the cases.

	This paper critically analyses the spectrum requirements of Satellite Communication and Satellite Broadcast Services in different frequency bands taking into account the emergence of improved and new applications in these areas.  The paper highlights the importance of sustaining the development and growth of satellite services especially for the benefits of majority of population living in underdeveloped and developing countries, remote areas and island nations of the world. This paper also stresses the importance of adopting a balanced regulatory approach in treating terrestrial and satellite media in order to sustain long-term benefits of satellite services to mankind.    

Abstract document

IAC-07-B2.5.10.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-B2.5.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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