Talks begin on pricing of new spectrum bands
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had identified frequency ranges 37-37.5 GHz for IMT, and 37.5 – 40 GHz as well as 42.5 – 43.5 GHz for both international mobile telecommunication (IMT) and satellite gateway links which shall be made available in the next auction.
The Trai is seeking comments from stakeholders on what quantum of these airwaves should be put to auction, for what validity period, and in which service areas.
It has also sought comments of spectrum pricing, block size, minimum bid quantity and other metrics related to the auctioning.
Trai has also opined that there could be challenges in sharing of 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz spectrum frequency ranges between IMT and Satellite Gateway links. Trai sought advice on how their coexistence can be prescribed in the consultation paper released Thursday.
In total, 4,000 MHz of frequency spectrum will be available in each licensed service area in the afore mentioned frequency ranges. Only, two frequency band among these have been auctioned by the USA while other countries are still consulting on the subject, Trai said.In India, this would be the first time that spectrum in the above 37 GHz bands, also known as mmWave band, will be put up for sale.While mid-band is considered ideal for 5G, mmWave spectrum is also good for rolling out 5G networks. Recently, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel announced 5G rollouts on mmWave spectrum (26 GHz) bought in last year’s sale.
Since the price of GHz spectrum is much less than mid-band, it is ideal for telcos to utilise a combination of both bands to roll out networks, experts said.
