India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) has reiterated the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) that the spectrum band which should include 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz. Additionally, TRAI will initiate a consultation process to provide recommendations on new spectrum bands, especially 37–37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz.
Due to the current deficiency of an auxiliary device ecosystem, TRAI has advised to include 42.5–43.5 GHz spectrum in the upcoming auction. Instead, the regulator has suggested that the dot wants recommendations at the later stage when the ecosystem is more mature.
For the N260 band ie 37-40 Ghz, a spectrum auction has been proposed by TRAI with a block size of 100 MHz bases on ISA with a validity of 20 years. The minimum rollout obligations for this band should align with the people prescribed in the 2024 notice, inviting the application (NIA) for the 26 GHz band.
Also Read:
Starlink and Cisco Partner for “Satellite-Ready” Wi-Fi Routers to Boost Global Connectivity
In addition to telecom operators, category ‘A’ and ‘B’ Internet Services Provider (ISP) and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) will also be eligible to participate in auction for N 260 bands under integrated license. Operators will have the flexibility to pay either upfronts or 20 equal annual instalments for spectrum.
