The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has reportedly written to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking consultation on mmWave spectrum bands, which are crucial for the roll out of 5G wireless service.
In its letter, COAI has urged the DoT to refer the mmWave—26GHz, 28GHz and 37GHz—bands to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) so that their minimum price can be fixed and they can be included in the 5G spectrum auction.
COAI’s letter to DoT has come just a month after a parliamentary panel recommended that mmWave spectrum be earmarked and allocated for commercial 5G services by the government in consultation with TRAI.
The government recently concluded 4G spectrum auctions in the country. this did not include spectrum bands recommended by TRAI for 5G. These bands along with 700MHz spectrum, which was completely unsold in the 2016 auctions, could be referred to TRAI for a review.
Further, telecom operators have expressed that the current TRAI recommended floor price is unaffordable and will seriously hamper the introduction of 5G services in India.
The reserve price for 5G spectrum has been set at Rs 4.92 billion per MHz of spectrum in the 3,300-3,600MHz bands, which are considered ideal for 5G telecom services.
