Lok Sabha Question No. 53 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-07
Subject: Indian Regional/Navigation Satellite System
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 53

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2022

## INDIAN REGIONAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM

53. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

## Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the usage of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NaviC system) has increased in India;
- (b) if  so,  the  steps  taken  to  ensure  that  manufacturers  of  mobile phones add compatibility of the NaviC system in the devices so they can process the signals;
- (c) whether the NaviC has been able to compete with Google Maps or  other  non-Indian  Global  Positioning  Systems  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d) whether the current version of NaviC is only compatible with the L5 and S bands, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  current  version  has  been  able  to  penetrate  the civilian sector, if not, the reasons therefor;
- (f) the  steps  taken  to  add  the  L1  band  into  NaviC  for  civilian navigational use; and
- (g) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  launch  more satellites  in  space  to  expand  the  reach  of  NaviC  to  the  global level?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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- (a) Yes,  Sir.  The  usage  of  NavIC  system  has  increased  in  India. NavIC  finds  utilisation  in  national  projects  like  public  vehicle safety,  power  grid  synchronisation,  real-time  train  information system,  fishermen  safety,  etc.  Other  upcoming  initiatives  viz. common alert protocol based emergency warning, time dissemination, geodetic network, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc. are in the process of adopting NavIC system.
- (b) Many  mobile  phone  models  in  the  country  are  already  having NavIC compatibility. Department of Space is constantly engaged with the manufacturers of mobile phones and chipsets to support them technically for adding NavIC compatibility in their devices.
- (c) NavIC system provides signals for positioning. Applications like Google Maps can utilise the position obtained through NavIC or other  similar  system  and  display  it  on  a  map  or  other  user interface for easy visualisation. Signals provided by  NavIC system are agnostic to the end-user application. Hence, a mobile phone which has NavIC compatibility automatically  uses  NavIC signals when showing position on maps.  Performance of NavIC system is at par with the other positioning systems.
- (d) Yes, Sir. The current version of NavIC is compatible with L5 and S bands. This is as per the international frequency coordination and compatibility.
- (e) Yes,  Sir.  The  current  version  has  been  able  to  penetrate  the civilian  sector.  The  addition  of  signal  in  L1  band  will  help  in faster penetration in the civilian sector.
- (f) The next satellites starting from NVS-01 onwards will have an L1 band for civilian navigational use.
- (g) Government is working to launch replacement satellites NVS-01 onwards for the current seven satellite constellation. Simultaneously,  studies  are  underway  to  work  out  suitable configuration  to  expand  the  reach  of  NavIC  beyond  its  current coverage.

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