The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested that metros should provide cell-on-wheels (CoWs) inside their premises (such as car parking or open areas). This setup would include the necessary plug-and-play infrastructure to ensure seamless coverage and enhance the customer experience at metro locations.
TRAI’s pilot project on using street furniture for small cells and aerial fibre development, conducted at Bengaluru metro stations has suggested deploying 5G small cell and aerial fibre at other metro stations nationwide using existing street furniture.
The project report emphasises the need for provisions to conduct emergency repairs or replacements of telecom equipment in metro premises during limited times post-metro train movement.
However, according to the TRAI report, metro officials denied permission for a metro cable duct along the track due to safety concerns related to high-tension electric cables and signalling cables. Additionally, no permission was granted for installing telecom/BBRS poles between stations for small cell fixing due to concerns about structural stability, nor for the installation of small cell fixing on metro piers.
The pilot study is aimed to identify operational challenges and establish an enabling regulatory and policy framework for all stakeholders ahead of actual deployment. One objective is to understand the challenges of establishing a cross-sectoral collaboration policy framework enabling cooperation between metro authorities and telecom companies to leverage brownfield metro street furniture for deploying 5G networks.
