Indian telecom operators have informed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) that the Indian 5G standard, 5Gi, does not have a device ecosystem and must therefore only be considered optional and non-mandatory for the industry. They said that making the standard mandatory would increase the prices of smartphones.
The telcos voiced their opinion in a stakeholder consultation on the 5G ecosystem held with the DoT secretary which was attended by telcos, vendors and chipmakers. The meeting was also attended by members from academia, India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI) and Centre for Development of Telematics (CDoT).
In the meeting, an Airtel representative told the secretary that 5Gi is not globally harmonised and that this will lead to costly devices and delays in its deployment. The telco said that 5G devices are required to support all licensed bands auctioned in India including 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz in both standalone and non-standalone 5G modes.
The Jio representative also supported the technology-neutral approach for 5G and suggested that the government must make efforts for global harmonisation of 5G standards by making it as part of 3GPP. It also urged the government to avoid mandating any specifications for consumer devices because they are market-driven.
Meanwhile, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) told the department that 5Gi lacked a device ecosystem and that efforts need to be made to make it a part of 3GPP. It said that 5G standards should support both consumers, industry, and the Indian government must play a facilitating role.
Both Jio and Airtel reiterated their demand for lowering the reserve price for 5G spectrum.
Jio also urged the department to make available 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum to meet the demands of the 2025-2030 timeframe. Airtel, on the other hand, asked the government to auction spectrum in mmWave band along with mid-band and 600 MHz bands and earmark them for 5G.
