In a letter to Dr Neeraj Mittal, secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), dated March 26, 2024, Jeanette Whyte, head, public policy Asia-Pacific (APAC), GSMA has urged to recognise the 6 GHz band (6425-7125 MHz) for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in India without any further delay and incorporate the same in National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP).
GSMA has reiterated that the government should recognise airwaves in the 6 GHz band for commercial mobile services, and allow it in the country’s NFAP to support telcos’ 5G network demand.
According to GSMA, this move would also be prudent to take necessary steps so that the band could be ready for assignment to support demand from telecom carriers in the 2025-30 timeframe.
Moreover, GSMA and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) have been demanding the government to identify frequencies in 6 GHz range for mobile telephony, and have written multiple letters to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology and Railways. However, the matter continues to hang in the balance.
