The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reportedly rejected a proposal by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to reserve some bands of 5G airwaves for captive private networks. According to DoT, if private networks want to utilise spectrum in those bands, they should obtain it by leading from telecom operators.
In its recommendations for 5G auctions, TRAI had proposed to reserve at least 40 MHz in the 3700-3800 MHz band, or mid-band, for private networks. It also suggested reserving at least 40 MHz in 4800-4990 MHz and at least 400 MHz in 28.5-29.5 GHz, or the mmWave band, for private networks. After receiving the recommendations, DoT had formed a committee to study the feasibility of the establishment of private networks in the spectrum bands proposed by TRAI. However, as per sources, the committee felt that no spectrum should be reserved for private networks in mid-band and 28.5-29.5 GHz bands but 40 MHz can be given in the 4950-4990 MHz band. After deliberations within the DoT, it was finally decided that all bands should be allocated through auction and private networks can use the airwaves through leasing from licensed operators.
