Nelco withdraws satcom permit application

New Delhi: Tata group satellite services firm Nelco has withdrawn application for offering personal satellite communication services to consumers in the country and plans to apply for a new licence under New Space Policy, a top company official has said. Nelco has withdrawn the application for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence, which it had earlier submitted to the department of telecommunications (DoT).

The company plans to apply for a relevant permit after going through the contours of the New Space Policy. "The company has all licences required to provide all satellite services permissible in the country and the company will apply for relevant permit after going through the contours of the New Space Policy and outcome of consultation paper floated by telecom regulator Trai," Nelco, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer PJ Nath said on Wednesday.

The GMPCS licence at present allows licence holders to provide satellite phone services in India. "We at Nelco are looking to expand satcom in a big way. We have got a very ambitious plan for entire satcom services. We want to take judicious calls based on the changing and regulatory environment," Nath said. Nath further said that the company is getting into new segments as the regulation is opening. "We will also get into the consumer market where it has not been possible to go with satellite communication because of technical and other issues. With the New Space Policy coming, we will also get there.”