The government has affirmed that the frequency band of 3300-3670 MHz identified for 5G technology in India is sufficiently spaced out from the 4200-4400 MHz band, used for radio altimeter in planes. The government has also said it is very unlikely to cause any interference in radio altimeter communications. This affirmation comes in the backdrop of concerns expressed by US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on possible interference by 5G technology with radio altimeter used in aircraft.
Outlining about whether the government has studied the potential risks to flight safety likely to be caused by the rollout of 5G services, the government has informed that no such study has been carried out in this regard, as the frequency bands opened in the country for IMT, including 5G technology, are as per the techno-regulatory conditions specified by the International Telecommunication Union and National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP)-2018.
The infrastructure required for rolling out 5G technology in the country is to be developed by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on the growth of ecosystem and demand for services. The government has also said that the investment for creating infrastructure for rolling out the 5G technology by the TSPs will depend on their techno-commercial considerations.
