The government plans to introduce a new law to restrict the commercial use of S-band spectrum. According to the Department of Space, S-band spectrum is a scarce natural resource and therefore its commercial use should be barred.
The department has requested the government to reserve the band for strategic usage by government agencies such as the armed and police forces.
In fact, the Integrated Space Cell of the Integrated Defence Staff has approached the government for the allocation of S-band spectrum for setting-up a secure communication set-up. Similarly, with an aim to meet their growing communication requirements, central forces including the Border Security Force, the Central Industry Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, and the Coast Guard have also requested the government to allocate them spectrum in the S-band. Further, the railways need the S-band spectrum for launching a train tracking system.
