THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 16 June 2020 (The sky is not the limit for Indian satcom (Financial Express))

The sky is not the limit for Indian satcom (Financial Express)

Mains Paper 3: Science and Tech
Prelims level: ISRO
Mains level: FDI in space sector

Context:

• On May 16, finance minister announced that, as part of the stimulus package, the government would welcome involvement of private sector players in space activities.
• This brilliant and historic announcement will help fast-track national space activities, including the all-important commercial satellite communications programme.
• This is a most impressive step forward, and the minister and the government need to be lauded for kick-starting this great odyssey.

Background:

• A few years ago, the erstwhile chairman of ISRO had pointed out that the then capacity of 34 working commercial communications satellites was barely half of what the country needed.
• This laid severe constraints to meeting the ever-increasing broadband demands from all sections, including the government, the private sector and millions of consumers.
• He urged the domestic industry to come forward and help augment the manufacture and launch of satellites.
• Now, this partnership between ISRO and the private sector will propel India’s future to greater heights. In the interregnum since then, the satcom gap between India and the rest of the world has not reduced but rather widened.

Aimed behind the decision:

• The finance minister’s announcement is clearly aimed at addressing the above gap and also powerfully attracting foreign investments into the country—an estimated FDI worth $3-5 billion or more.
• Manufacturing of ancillaries and t............................

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Application of this model to other countries:

• While the US does depend on the national space agency (NASA for defence and strategic needs), all commercial communication satellites are built by private players such as Hughes Echostar, Viasat and Intelsat.
• This is in spite having only one-fourth the population India does and one of the highest fibre connectivity throughout the country, and the world.
• The US relies heavily on satellite broadband to connect rural areas, with over 4.7 million subscribers connected on satellite broadband. It continues to connect additional approximately 1 million customers via satellite every year.
• The EU and even most countries in Asia are way ahead of India in terms of connectivity. In stark contrast, India has barely 0.3 million subscribers connected to narrowband connections. It’s time for change.

Satellite broadband connectivity comparison:

• The accompanying table compares satellite broadband connectivity for the US, the EU and Asian countries versus India.
• It can be seen that even disregarding the aspect of broadband versus narrowband and the aspect of supporting terrestrial connectivity, while the average satellite connectivity for the other three regions considered is 0.001856 million connections per million population.
• In India it is about nine times lower, at 0.000231 million connections per million population.
• The importance of commercial satellite communications applications is also shown by the accompanying graphic, which indicates the total number of satellites available globally and the percentage of satellites dedicated towards commercial communications.
• The total number of communication satellites in orbit has grown since then, but India continues to have only a handful of these, a mere 41, all of which are government-owned and controlled.
• To reach the Broadband for All and Digital India goals, we should be having at least 80-90 communication satellites today. Empowering the private sector would help India bridge the gap quicker, and be in the public interest of inclusivity and provide a much-desired boost to GDP.

Way forward:

• India has a tremendous opportunity that can be realised through the announcement of May 16.
• These reforms will attract huge FDI, lead to employment generation, and offer local players a competitive boost in Indian and global markets by promoting Make in India.
• This sector will always be open to .......................

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Conclusion:

• The government alone cannot cope without the active involvement and cooperation of the private sector.
• It is clear the government now expects private sector players to jump in and do their duty to help realise Digital India through the important role of satcom.
• We hope ISRO and the government capitalise on the momentum gained by the May 16 announcement.
• The sky is not the limit for Indian satcom. This can be an example of atmanirbharta par excellence.

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Prelims Questions:

Q1.  With reference to the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), consider the following statements:
1. It is an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
2. It is situated at Manora Peak, in Nainital, Uttarakhand.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: ......................................

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Mains Questions:
Q1.  Describe the role...........................................