What is Satellite Spectrum?
10-10-2023
10:16 AM
1 min read
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Overview:
The Elon Musk vs Mukesh Ambani battle on whether to auction or allocate satellite spectrum has attracted intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
About Satellite Spectrum
- The Satellite or orbit spectrum is a segment of radio spectrum made available when satellites are placed into orbit.
- This spectrum is part of the broader radio frequency spectrum, which encompasses all electromagnetic frequencies used for various wireless communications and broadcasting purposes.
- This spectrum is a limited resource for every country, utilised by firms to implement satellite broadcasting, communication satellites, and weather satellite services.
- This spectrum is divided into many different frequency bands. The choice of bands depends on many factors, including the specific applications.
- The frequency is an integral partof the satellite’s construction and doesn’t change after launch.
- How does frequency impact the data transfer?
- In simple terms, the frequency of a signal refers to the number of times the underlying wave oscillates per second.
- The higher the frequency, the faster the waves appear to move, and the more data can be transmitted per second.
- However, higher frequencies also mean shorter wavelengths (that is, the length between the start and end of each wave), which can lead to a reduction in the strength of the signal over a distance (called signal attenuation) and an increased risk of signal interference.
- Satellites generally transmit on a frequency between 1.5 and 51.5 gigahertz (a gigahertz, or GHz, equals one billion hertz). High-speed broadband operates at the higher end of the spectrum.
- The International Telecommunication Union, or ITU, is the United Nations institution that coordinates the allocation of frequencies globally.
- The ITU has allocated parts of this spectrum range to specific categories of services, and has identified those frequencies best suited for transmissions via satellite.
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Key Facts about International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
- It is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies.
- It is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates between governments and private sector bodies with respect to global telecommunication and information communication technology (ICT) services.
- It was established in 1865 as International Telegraph Union.
- In 1947 the ITU became a specialized agency of the United Nations.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
- Membership: It has a membership of 193 countries and nearly 800 private sector entities and academic institutions.
- Functions:
- allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits;
- coordination and setting of technical standards related to telecommunication/ICT;
- strive to improve access to ICTs in underserved communities worldwide;
- India and ITU: India has been an active member of the ITU since 1869 and has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952.
Q1: What are Radio waves?
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with long wavelengths, low frequencies, and low energy levels within the electromagnetic spectrum. They are a form of invisible, energy-carrying waves that have a wide range of applications, particularly in telecommunications and broadcasting.
Source: PMO gets into act in satellite spectrum row of Musk, Ambani