The Union Cabinet has approved the plan of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to refarm nearly 1100 MHz of spectrum across multiple bands, a move anticipated to be valued at approximately Rs 5 trillion and potentially auctioned in the coming years. This spectrum refarming initiative aims to fulfil the needs of telecom operators for their upcoming 5G and future 6G services.
The cabinet’s decision follows prior approval from the committee of secretaries (CoS), which had already sanctioned the refarming exercise. Last year, the Union Cabinet had established a CoS to focus on spectrum refarming, consisting of various departmental secretaries and senior DoT officials. The CoS chairman was permitted to seek assistance from external experts if necessary.
The refarming initiative encompasses spectrum across ten bands, ranging from 470 MHz to 6 GHz. Currently, this spectrum is utilised by ministries such as space, defense, information and broadcasting, railways, and housing and urban affairs.
The mid-band spectrum ranges from 1000 MHz (1 GHz) to 6000 MHz (6 GHz), with the 3500 MHz to 6000 MHz range being particularly suitable for 4G and 5G services.
