The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is reportedly working on an ambitious plan to refarm or resuse more than 1100 MHz spectrum from various ministries and departments and reallocating it to telecom operators for 5G and 6G services, a move that could garner over Rs 5 trillion for the exchequer.
DoT has identified spectrum across 10 bands which will be freed in the coming few years and put up for auction for telecom operators. Spectrum across bands including mid-band and some portion of 6 GHz is currently being utilised by the ministries of space, defence, information and broadcasting, railways and housing and urban affairs. Meanwhile, mid-band ranges from 1000 MHz (1 GHz)-6000 MHz (6 GHz), with 3500 MHz-6000 MHz best suited for 4G and 5G services.
DoT believes there is a need to provide more airwaves, especially in mid-band and some premium lower bands, for upgrading 5G technology and introducing 6G, which is expected to be launched by 2030. Most of the spectrum is currently being utilised by legacy users such as the armed forces and the space department, which may be shifted to other frequencies.
Earlier in 2024, the Union Cabinet approved setting up of a Committee of Secretaries (CoS) to work on spectrum refarming. The panel comprises various departmental secretaries and senior DoT officers.
