With over a billion wireless mobile connections, growing network reach and proliferation of mobile applications, India is emerging as a strong digital economy. In this scenario, spectrum has become a critical prerequisite, not only for the growth of telecom services but also for the delivery of next-generation technologies to citizens and the industry. The recently approved National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), 2018 recog­nises spectrum as a critical natural resource that can help achieve its principal objective of providing high speed and high quality broadband services to all.

In a bid to identify key spectrum ban­ds that can be used for various radio communication services, the Department of Tele­communications has released the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), 2018. The plan came into effect on October 25, 2018, and is aimed at providing a roadmap for the allocation of wireless spectrum to facilitate the development and deployment of next-generation wireless services in the country.

A look at the key features of the NFAP 2018 and the benefits it would yield for the industry…

Key features

The central theme of the NFAP 2018 is the allocation of radio frequency spectrum (up to 3,000 GHz) for different radio communication services. The foundational text used for drawing up the NFAP, 2018 is the Radio Regulations, an international treaty signed by India and other member states of the International Telecommunication Union, which governs the use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits (geostationary and non-geostationary) at the global level.

According to the government, the NFAP 2018 provides a broad regulatory framework that identifies frequency bands for 41 radio communication services inclu­ding cellular mobile services, Wi-Fi services, sound and television broadcasting, radio navigation for aircraft and ships, de­fence and security communications, disaster reli­ef and emergency communications, satellite communications, satellite broadcasting, and amateur services.

The plan is notable for introducing several initiatives, which are expected to drive the sustained growth of wireless services in India. Some of these are as follows:

  • The NFAP has significantly expanded the quantum of licence-exempt spectrum for wireless access services from 50 MHz to 605 MHz to promote high speed broadband through Wi-Fi services. This is a fundamental step in setting up Wi-Fi hotspots across urban and rural areas under the National Broad­band Mission of the NDCP 2018.
  • It has identified licence-exempt spectrum in several bands for short-range devices (SRDs) and ultra-wideband devices (UWDs) for the first time. The NFAP aims to enhance the landscape of innovation in wireless technologies by offering over 30 licence-exempt bands for SRDs and UWDs, enabling the industry to build a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
  • It increases transparency by providing consolidated and comprehensive information on all the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) bands.

While the NFAP 2018 governs the use of spectrum in India, it does not by itself provide the right to use spectrum. Before any part of the spectrum is put to use, a licence needs to be obtained from the Wi­re­less Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Ministry of Com­mu­ni­cations, un­less such a requirement has been exem­pted by the WPC Wing. Fur­ther, as the use of spectrum is not static and new applications are introduced with the change in demands from the citizens and the industry, the NFAP 2018 does not list the various uses of individual radio communication services.

Frequency allocation is the first step towards ensuring efficient, rational and interference-free use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits (geostationary and non-geostationary). Moreover, the technical, procedural and regulatory conditions for using the radio frequency spectrum and satellite-orbits come under the licensing regime. Therefore, the NFAP 2018 does not add­ress the licensing aspects of spectrum orbital resources.

Benefits for the industry

The NFAP 2018 is being envisaged as a tool for promoting innovation, research and development, and investment in the country, thereby enabling the industry to develop and harness new technologies for all-round development. It aims to enable the government to adopt 5G services in India, in line with the global timeline, by identifying appropriate bands that will facilitate the roll-out of dense backhaul networks to make them 5G ready. Fur­ther, the plan identifies certain dedicated spectrum frequencies for IMT. It will also enable the industry to achieve the objectives of the NDCP 2018 and lead to large-scale job creation in the country.

The government believes that the NFAP 2018 will promote the rapid deve­lo­pment and adoption of new wireless servi­ces, thus accelerating the government’s Di­­gi­tal India and Make in India missions. Moreover, the plan is expected to provide a strong fillip to the growth and development of machine-to-machine co­mm­unication and internet of things technologies in India.

Kuhu Singh Abbhi