On 16th Aug 2022, the DOT informed the TRAI that it is envisaging auctioning spectrum for satellite services on an “exclusive basis”. On the same breadth, it requested the TRAI to explore the feasibility and the procedure of sharing auctioned spectrum among multiple service licenses (both satellite and terrestrial) and make recommendations on the criteria for sharing — including appropriate interference mitigation techniques (para(2.2(a)-Page 141 of TRAI’s paper). The purpose of this note is to evaluate how the TRAI will be able to deal with this dilemma. And why I call this situation a “dilemma” will become clear as you read through this note.
TRAI’s Dilemma
The TRAI is in a real dilemma. Why? The Reason — On one hand, DoT is seeking to auction spectrum on an exclusive basis, and in the same breath, the DoT is also seeking recommendations from the TRAI on the “procedure of sharing” an exclusively assigned spectrum. Why? Is there an intent to make sharing mandatory? If so then what purpose does “exclusive assignment” serve? As per Webster’s Dictionary the word “exclusive” is synonymous with “The power to exclude”. So if something is assigned tagged with exclusivity, then the assignee must have the power to decide whether to use the resource by himself or share it with someone on his own terms and conditions. No?
