Mumbai: Over 48 noted experts from as many as 12 countries attended – ‘SatCom Emerging trends: Post reform era’ – a two- day conference organised by the Satcom Industry Association (SIA) India from 5-6 August.
The virtual event saw various eminent speakers discussing the future role of the Satellite industry especially in the context of India. Supported by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) the objective of this conference was to provide a platform to various stakeholders to come together and address the critical issues and challenges faced by the Satellite industry.
In his opening remark, SIA India president and Ananth Technologies, CMD Subba Rao Pavuluri outlined the importance and future prospect of space technology especially the Indian Satcom ecosystem. According to Dr Rao, over 500 firms engaged in space technologies will benefit from these reforms.
Airspace IX founder CEO and Speedcast founder CEO Thomas Choi said, “India should focus more on developing systems which are not expensive”.
In his special address, ISRO Scientific Secretary R. Umamaheshwaran who was also the guest of honour talked about the fantastic growth of the SatCom industry in India in the last 40 years which has drastically affected the lives of the common people. Space has the opportunity to play a complementary role for development and growth, he said.
ISRO former chairman and department of space secretary, Dr AS Kiran Kumar emphasised on the larger participation of private and global players in this field to fulfil the need and demand for Satcom Industry overall growth in India.
“In a country with 57 per cent rural India is unconnected, satellites will play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide. SIA-India’s emphasis is to play an important role in facilitating a regulatory and policy framework to make this happen,” said Satcom Industry Association, director general, Anil Prakash.
The day two of the event saw eminent speakers deliberate on the participation of the private sector in the SatCom industry. ‘Space Startups connecting to International markets with emerging business Models’ was also a subject for the discussion.
The conference aimed to help create a bridge between the government and the industry bodies to understand the importance of the space economy as the next big leap towards making India a global superpower.
