DoT axes NOCC levy for telecom licence holders; satellite tv for pc broadband cos to learn

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has abolished the community operation and management centre (NOCC) costs which might be levied on use of area segments by telecom service suppliers for satellite tv for pc telephony, broadband, and so on. This is predicted to supply a fillip to imminent satellite tv for pc broadband corporations.

The NOCC levy regime was launched in 2003, and the DoT levied Rs 21 lakh per transponder yearly for 36 MHz of spectrum on a pro-rata foundation. Additionally, the federal government additionally charged Rs 6,000 for each trial of antenna that’s used for receiving and transmitting alerts.

“There shall be no NOCC charges for use of space segment for all DoT licensees for commercial and captive VSAT services, GMPCS (satellite phone service), NLD (national long distance) and other telecom licensees having unified licence or standalone license. This order shall be effective from April 1, 2022,” DoT stated in an order dated May 6.

ExplainedSector to be extra viable

With the elimination of the NOCC costs for telecom service suppliers, the Indian satellite tv for pc broadband area — which is attracting overseas entrants in addition to established home gamers — may improve in viability.

The Network Operations & Control Center was created underneath the DoT to manage the transmissions from floor phase, or satellite tv for pc earth stations, together with the grasp management facility underneath Department of Space to handle the operation of satellites in orbit.

Responding to the transfer, AK Bhatt, Director General, Indian Space Association, stated: “We believe that these progressive policy steps are in the right direction and showcase the government’s commitment in supporting the growth of digital communication by leveraging the potential and capability of satellite communication industry”.

Currently, Sunil Bharti Mittal’s OneWeb and Elon Musk’s Starlink are the suppliers planning to launch satellite tv for pc broadband providers in India utilizing low-earth orbit satellites. In February, Reliance Jio had introduced that it has shaped a joint-venture with Luxembourgish satellite-based content material connectivity options supplier SES, and plans to ship satellite tv for pc broadband providers throughout India.