Don’t undermine satellite broadband for 5G: Amazon Kuiper to TRAI

Highlighting limited terrestrial use of the 17.7–19.7 GHz band in India, Amazon urged Trai to prioritise other microwave bands for backhaul and ensure satellite coexistence by mandating transparency on technical deployment parameters

Amazon’s satellite internet venture, Project Kuiper, has urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to exercise caution in allocating the 18 GHz and E-band spectrum exclusively for terrestrial backhaul use. The company cautioned that such a move could threaten the delivery of affordable satellite-based broadband services to India’s underserved and rural populations.

In a submission to Trai on July 2, Amazon emphasised that high-frequency bands like 17.7–19.7 GHz, part of the Ka-band, are vital for non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) systems like Kuiper. These frequencies enable satellite-to-user links, gateways, and telemetry, and provide higher throughput with smaller, cost-efficient terminals compared to conventional Ku-band alternatives.

Amazon highlighted that these bands have historically seen limited terrestrial use in India and recommended prioritising other microwave bands—such as 13 GHz, 15 GHz, and 21 GHz—for backhaul services. The tech giant also called for regulatory safeguards to enable "harmonious coexistence" between satellite and terrestrial operators, including public disclosure of technical parameters like power, antenna height, and location to manage interference effectively.

The E-band, which Amazon intends to use for gateway link capacity expansion, also faces pressure from terrestrial telecom stakeholders. Amazon underscored its importance for meeting growing data demands and urged Trai to implement similar protective measures.

Telcos seek exclusive backhaul access

Meanwhile, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, has asked Trai to reserve all traditional microwave backhaul bands exclusively for telecom service providers. Citing the challenges of fibre rollout in many regions, COAI asserted that wireless backhaul remains essential, especially as 54% of Indian base stations still depend on it.

COAI Director General SP Kochhar said these bands are critical to supporting the 5G rollout and preparing for 6G, particularly in geographies with difficult terrain or high urban density.

Echoing Amazon’s concerns, the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) warned that any reallocation of shared spectrum without safeguards could harm satellite services. It opposed expanding terrestrial usage in co-primary bands without proper coordination and flagged the need to wait until the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 concludes before finalising rules on certain bands, such as 7 GHz and 15 GHz.

The debate underscores the growing tension between terrestrial telecom players and satellite operators over spectrum rights, as India aims to accelerate both 5G deployment and digital inclusion in remote regions.