The new standard for Interface Requirements for Communication & Broadcast Networks for fixed-satellite service-FSS/broadcasting-satellite service-BSS (Mandatory Technical Requirements), will allow ground segment very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) players to leverage the latest SatCom technologies, as per Broadband India Forum (BIF).

This has the potential to boost digital connectivity and provide high capacity cellular and Wi-Fi backhaul to all locations within the country, which is relevant in the context of the pandemic, and India’s progress  towards  the 5G technology.

According to BIF, these new technical requirements are fully aligned to the capabilities provided by the modern SatCom technologies, including High Throughput Satellites (HTS), Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellites such as low-earth orbit, medium-earth orbit, and highly-elliptical orbit, among  others.

“The move is aligned to the national goals of accelerating the Hon’ble PM’s Digital India mission and the vision of achieving ‘Broadband for All’. It is also aligned to the recommendations put forth in the NDCP 2018 for a new liberalized Satcom regime and the consistent TRAI recommendations along these lines for several years so that Satcom is integrated into the mainstream to support connect the underserved and unserved regions of the country,” commented BIF President, TV Ramachandran, on the development.

The new standards/specifications will provide benefits to the common man as the barriers on data rates pegged to 2Mbps in STAR configuration and 4Mbps in MESH configuration have been removed.

Additionally, artificial caps that existed on uplink data rates, which were earlier linked to fixed antenna sizes have also been removed, which will permit modern and high capacity smaller antenna sizes to cater to huge data throughputs.

Lastly, these new flexible and liberalized guidelines are not only applicable to communication networks but also to the broadcast networks containing DTH.

In terms of frequency bands, besides the traditional C & Ku bands, the high capacity Ka bands have also been permitted for use in both broadband and broadcasting, along with higher power limits (PSD limits) at the satellite antenna.