TRAI recently released a consultation paper on the possibility of spectrum auctions in the 37-3 7.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands
The decision by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to begin consultations on opening up several 5G high-bands or millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum will not compensate for the lack of 5G spectrum in mid bands and especially 6 GHz, local newspaper Business Standard reported, citing executives from local telcos Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm.
On April 4, TRAI released a consultation paper on the possibility of spectrum auctions in the 37-3 7.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands for mobile telephony services. While the 37-37.5 GHz band is for mobile services, the other two bands, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz, are for mobile and satellite gateway links.
However, executives from Airtel and Jio noted that this focus on mmWave will shift discussions away from freeing up at least 2 gigahertz of spectrum in the mid-band, and especially in the 6 GHz spectrum band.
“High bands like the 37.5 GHz have certain targeted use cases for 5G, especially in high density urban areas. But what is really required is opening up the 6 GHz band. There have been multiple meetings on this issue. And, we have communicated our position to the government,” a telco official said.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had argued that at least 1,200 megahertz of spectrum needs to be allocated for mobile communications in India. Currently, only 720 megahertz is available in the mid-band in India, the entity said.
COAI represents incumbent operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. Jio and Airtel have completed pan-India deployments of their 5G networks, while Vodafone Idea has yet to commercially launch its 5G services.
Last year, the GSMA said that India should identify and support 6 GHz spectrum for the expansion of 5G services across the country. In a letter to India’s communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the GSMA said: “The 6 GHz range is the primary mid-band spectrum to meet the needs for 5G expansion and its timely availability will drive cost-efficient network deployment, help lower the broadband usage gap and support digital inclusion.”
India’s Department of Telecom (DoT) recently decided to postpone its upcoming spectrum auction to award additional 5G frequencies from May 20 to June 6.
According to the reports, the decision to push back the auction was chiefly due to allow the process to take place after the country’s general elections. India’s general election is slated to start on April 19, while the results are expected to be revealed on June 4.
In the upcoming auction, 5G airwaves in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz and 26 GHz bands will be put up for sale.
According to sources with knowledge of the matter, the auction is expected to only draw a few bids from Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea for renewing their frequencies.
