As per Ashwini Vaishnaw, communications minister, things are moving as per schedule for 5G launch. The statement by the communications minister comes just days after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) came out with its recommendations on spectrum pricing and auction modalities.
Meanwhile, Indian telecom market is warming up for the next-generation 5G services that will usher in ultrahigh-speeds and spawn new-age offerings and business models.
As per schedule, the 5G spectrum auction is expected to be held in June-July 2022 time frame.
Of late, the TRAI recommended about a 39 per cent reduction in the reserve or floor price for the sale of spectrum for mobile services, including 5G, but Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) expressed discontentment over the regulator’s recommendations, terming the spectrum pricing as too high.
The COAI argued that the industry had recommended 90 per cent lower prices, and for it to see only about 35-40 per cent reduction recommended in prices is deeply disappointing.
