"The SATCOM policy shall provide for users to avail of transponder capacity from both domestic/foreign satellites. However, the same has to be in consultation with the Department of Space."
The National Telecom Policy is in the process of consultation with various stakeholders. All relevant issues related to telecom sector in India would be looked into while formulating National Telecom Policy 2011.
According to the Secretariats report, India implements a foreign equity restriction by which 10% ownership cap is applied to individual companies as well as restrictions that equity can be hold on only one licence company per service area for access services.
Could India confirm that these restrictions are in place and in conformity with its GATS commitments?
Reply: Para 125 of the Secretariat Report clearly explains the cap of 10% in respect of cross holding among licensees in same service areas. It has no linkage with Indian or foreign equity.
Could India confirm that there is no cargo reservation policy either for SCI or for national flagged vessels? If cargo reservation policy exists, India is requested to provide information concerning in which particular areas this policy is implemented.
Reply: The Cargo Reservation Policy in India is for Indian flag vessels and no particular distinction is made between SCI vessels (which are Indian flag vessels) and other Indian flag vessels. Hence, the policy applies to SCI vessels as well as other Indian flag vessels. It may further be mentioned that as per the DG Shipping circular (2010), the existing basis for according cargo preference is as follows:
