The ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) has written to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) expressing its concerns over the positioning of television (TV) transmitters and 5G base stations using the 600 MHz spectrum band.
As per the ministry, TV transmitters and future 5G base stations using 600 MHz spectrum should be located at least 60 to 150 kilometres apart in order to prevent network interference and protect the quality of television broadcasting services.
The 526-582 MHz frequency band (popularly known as the 600 MHz band) is being used by Prasar Bharati (DD) for terrestrial TV broadcasting. To this end, the I&B ministry urged that the separation or keep-out distances are required to be kept between digital terrestrial TV transmitters and 5G base stations to ensure protection of TV transmitter services.
The DoT, on its part, has forwarded a copy of I&B ministry’s letter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which had sought views on a host of issues, including applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for India’s first 5G spectrum auctions.
