The government has reduced the notice period for offering any new technology using the spectrum that will be put up for auction in March 2021. Now the notice period stands at 6 months. This move is expected to ease the path for 5G rollout in the country.
Earlier, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked telecom operators to give one year notice before starting any technology using spectrum across the seven frequency bands that will be offered in auction in March 2021. The DoT has already issued the notice inviting applications (NIA) for the forthcoming 4G spectrum auctions in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands.
On a separate note, recently telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that 5G core network should be Indian and the country should move faster on the next-generation technology with indigenously made telecom gears.
Further, he noted that the testbed for 5G were ready and the government will soon grant a permit for trials.
