The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is reportedly planning to earmark additional 5G spectrum bands in the run up to the next auction. This development follows the recent request of telcos for more airwaves for 5G which will enable them to reduce cost of rollouts, and thus lower consumer pricing.
To this end, the DoT is likely to unveil a revised spectrum policy document in early-April 2021 that will include spectrum across the sub-1 GHz, 1-6 GHz and millimeter wave bands (above 6 GHz). This will make up India’s updated National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP).
The updated NFAP will outline available spectrum bands and the services for which they can be used. The band could be used for services such as mobile broadband communications, defence, satellite operations and also to meet the needs of the aviation, I&B, railways and home ministries.
Telcos have been urging the DoT to update the NFAP as it does not include the 5G bands, especially the crucial millimeter waves (26 GHz, 28 GHz), without which 5G deployment costs in India would jump several-fold and make the service unaffordable.
At present, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has only earmarked mid-band spectrum in the 3.3-3.6 GHz bands for 5G services. Both millimeter wave and mid-band 5G airwaves are with the Department of space (DoS) and defence ministry.
