TRAI on Friday recommended that spectrum charges for state-owned BSNL’s satellite phone services be fixed at one per cent of the revenue accrued, replacing the current model of formula-based levy.

“The Authority recommends that the spectrum charges should be levied at one per cent of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of BSNL’s satellite-based services under the sui generis category,” it said in the recommendations.

The Global Satellite Phone (GSP) service provided by BSNL to end-consumers is mainly harnessed for remote area communications and emergency services.

So far, these services are largely being availed by Defence, Railways, Disaster Management agencies and maritime agencies. The company submitted that due to heavy spectrum charges, the service is not affordable.

The replacement of the current mechanism of spectrum charges with a model based on a percentage of AGR is expected to galvanise the expansion of these services.

Currently, BSNL pays ₹37.8 lakh as the annual spectrum charge for the gateway. It also pays ₹14,250 per annum on a per-terminal basis.

Further, the regulator proposed: “While determining the AGR for the purpose of levy of licence fee and spectrum charges, the cost of handsets (which is separately identifiable) should be allowed as deduction from the gross revenue of BSNL’s satellite-based services under the sui generis category.”

TRAI also reiterated its earlier recommendations that there should be a ‘defined timeline, not exceeding 30 days’, within which an import licence (for handsets) should be granted, and the same should be declared on the portal as well as in the citizen’s charter. It added that DoT may review whether roaming service can be allowed for GSP customers as it is being done in the case of mobile roaming.

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