According to a recent report by the Parliamentary Panel on IT, India is currently not ready for rolling out the 5G telecom services. The panel has held the government’s lackluster approach as the reason behind this unpreparedness.
The report noted that just like previous rollout of mobile network technologies such as 2G, 3G, and 4G, 5G rollout may be further delayed in the country on account of poor planning and execution. The report further said the network technology may be expected towards the end of 2021 or early 2022, and even then, the deployment would be partial.
The report also highlighted a range of issues hampering 5G rollout such as spectrum issues, uncertainty around the sale of 5G spectrum bands, amongst others. Further, the TRAI recommended reserve price of Rs 4.92 billion per unit for 5G spectrum has also being a key pain point for telcos.
On a related note, the DoT informed the parliamentary committee on IT that 5G trials are likely to begin in 2-3 months and that it has already received 16 applications for 5G field trials using imported as well as indigenous technology.
However, the panel, in its report, pointed out that it was highly disturbing to note that 5G trials had not yet been permitted.
The panel has also questioned the government for as to why spectrum for 5G trial has still not been allowed when the DoT has categorically stated that there are no major issues confronting trials in the country.
