The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reportedly proposed a major shift in how spectrum can be shared between operators, allowing one-way sharing across broader spectrum categories instead of restricting it to the same frequency band. The change, outlined in a draft notification, is aimed at helping telcos monetise unused airwaves and improve the deployment of high-bandwidth services.
Currently, two operators can share spectrum only if both hold frequencies in the same band and receive government approval. Under the new framework, a service provider holding spectrum in one band would be able to share it with another operator holding spectrum in a different band, as long as both fall under the same category and telecom circle.
The draft defines four categories: sub-1 GHz bands (below 1000 MHz) under category-1, two mid-band groups under category-2 and category-3, and high bands under category-4. This shift from band-level to category-level sharing gives operators more flexibility to utilise partners’ unused spectrum, especially for high-capacity services.
For captive 5G networks, the DoT has proposed no category restrictions, allowing even more flexible spectrum use.
