In the backdrop of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI’s) recommendations on spectrum auction, the satellite communications industry body, SatCom Industry Association (SIA) has written to the government urging it to align the radiowaves allocation policy with Europe and over 120 countries.
SIA said that global body International Telecommunication Union, which coordinates and finalises spectrum usage globally, has identified only 26 Ghz band for 5G mobile services and not the 28 Ghz. Meanwhile, TRAI has recommended usage of spectrum in 26 Ghz and 28 Ghz bands on sharing basis for satellite and mobile services. To this end, the satcom industry body said there are no studies available on shared usage of 28 Ghz band for mobile and satellite services, and hence it will be risky for India to do so.
Satcom Industry Association (SIA), in a letter to Ashwani Vaishnaw, telecom minister, expressed serious concerns on recommendations of the TRAI to include 27.5 to 28.5 GHz and 3.60 to 3.67 GHz bands in the proposed 5G spectrum auction.
The 26 Ghz and 28 Ghz bands, technically called millimetre wave (mmWave) bands, are considered high frequency range, where the signals transmitted cover shorter distances but at very high speeds. The mobile base station transmitting signal in these bands for 5G services will have to be at closer distance compared to base stations installed using large towers in case of 2G to 4G mobile services.
As per SIA, the government has already effected many sets of reforms in September 2021 for the mobile services industry to thrive and grow further and likewise, preserving frequency in the range of 27.5 to 29.5 Ghz band, globally prioritised for satellites, should be a high priority.
