The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on provision of cellular backhaul connectivity via satellite through very small aperture terminal (VSAT) under commercial VSAT Closed Users Group (CUG) service authorisation.
In its letter dated August 13, 2019, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), had requested TRAI to furnish recommendations on terms and conditions of Unified License and Unified License virtual network operator (VNO) agreement for permitting backhaul links for mobile network via satellite through VSAT.
As per DoT, to enhance provisioning of internet and voice services in the uncovered area there is a requirement for utilising VSAT capabilities and allowing cellular backhaul for connecting base transceiver station (BTS)/mobile network in far-flung areas under commercial VSAT CUG Service License.
TRAI has invited comments and counter-comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper by February 26, 2020, and March 11, 2020, respectively.
