The Broadband India Forum (BIF), in its recommendations, has urged the government to consider the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recommendations on private 5G networks. This recommendation by BIF is contrary to telcos’ claims for exempting allocation to private networks. BIF asserts that the direct spectrum allocations to enterprises for private 5G networks will boost government revenues and pose no security concerns.
The recommendations by BIF comes a day after the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) warned against the direct spectrum allocations to enterprises for private 5G networks. BIF has also urged the government to facilitate a light-touch online portal based paperless regime for acquiring permission/license for ‘Captive Wireless Private Network (CWPN)’ within 30 days of application, as recommended by TRAI, to enable ease of doing business (EoDB).
In contrast to the telcos’ claims, BIF believes that private 5G networks are best set up by enterprises themselves as they are the best qualified to do so. Meanwhile, BIF also claimed that private networks constitute additional revenue streams for the telcos and the government. BIF added that spectrum should be given through separate allocation mechanism, than that being given for public networks, which is through auction. Citing reasons, BIF explains that this is being utilised by only one user in a given local area, unlike the case of public networks. Hence it needs to be given directly to the enterprises at a rational and reasonable price through a suitable administrative mechanism.
Providing further clarification, BIF noted that it was a misconception that private 5G networks would lead to revenue losses for the telcos. However, in actuality, majority of the enterprise revenues of telecom service providers (TSPs) would be through external network services which comprise of voice and data communications.
Meanwhile, BIF mentioned that captive usage in the current situation would only contribute a minor share in processes/applications like robotics, automation, etc., due to challenges in delivering the required service-level agreements (SLAs) through public networks. Therefore, BIF believes that the speculated loss in revenues for telcos via enterprise services is a misplaced one. The body said that India needs private 5G to accelerate digital transformation and industry 4.0.
The industry body further adds that India needs higher efficiencies in verticals like manufacturing, healthcare, education, agriculture, financial inclusion and many others to accelerate the process of digital transformation. Clarifying its position, BIF notes that private 5G network is about deployment of high speed, enhanced data capacity and ultra-low latency applications inside a closed manufacturing unit, hospital, airport, shipping port, etc.. BIF welcomes TRAI recommendations on private 5G networks as the industry body believes that it address the interests of all the stakeholders – the TSPs, the enterprises, as well as the public. BIF further affirms its stand by mentioning that more private networks would lead to more employment opportunities and business, which will translate into greater economic gains.
