Government may bring new law to restrict use of S-Band spectrum

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of the controversial Antrix-Devas deal, the Department of Space is mulling bringing a new law to keep the scarce S-Band spectrum out of commercial use and reserve it for strategic and societal purpose only.

The Department of Space has proposed that a new legislation is now desirable for use of S-Band which is a scarce natural resource and it should not be available for commercial utilisation.

The proposal suggests the S-Band should be reserved for "strategic and societal" use only.

It is learnt to have highlighted the fact that S-band spectrum is crucial for strategic and societal services.

The Integrated Space Cell of the Integrated Defence Staff has projected its need for S-band for meeting the immediate requirements of the armed forces.

Central police forces including BSF, CISF, CRPF, and Coast Guard have also demanded a share in the S-band for meeting their secured communication needs.

The Railways too has projected S-band requirement for a train tracking system.

The proposal, which is in a draft stage, says with the emerging requirements, there is an imminent need to preserve the S-band spectrum for vital strategic and societal applications.