Satellite broadband: Bharti’s OneWeb applies for Satcom licence

Even as some telecom operators and technology players slug out over satellite communication spectrum – whether it should be auctioned or allocated administratively – Bharti Enterprises-led OneWeb has applied for a global mobile personal communication system (GMPCS) licence for providing satellite broadband services.

While the licence can be granted to the company by the department of telecommunications (DoT) anytime, the allocation of spectrum is likely to be done only once the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the government decide whether the airwaves need to be auctioned or allocated administratively.