The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released recommendations on the Tera Hertz Spectrum.
Earlier, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) asked the TRAI to provide recommendations under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended), regarding the open and de-licensed use of unused or limited-used spectrum bands in the Tera Hertz range for temporary demand generation.
In response, TRAI released a consultation paper to gather feedback from stakeholders on this topic. The consultation paper sought comments and counter-comments from stakeholders, resulting in 17 stakeholders submitting comments and two stakeholders providing counter-comments. An open house discussion on the consultation paper was also conducted virtually to further engage with stakeholders.
Based on the comments received from the stake holders, TRAI has finalised the recommendations for the same. The salient features of the recommendations are,
- The government should introduce a new experimental authorisation for the spectrum in the 95 GHz to 3 THz range termed as ‘Tera Hertz Experimental Authorisation’ (in short, THEA).
- The main elements of the authorisation framework for THEA are given below:
- Purpose: The purpose of THEA should be to promote research and development (R&D), indoor and outdoor testing, technology trial, experimentation, and demonstration in the 95 GHz to 3 THz range.
- Scope: The scope of THEA should be to conduct R&D, indoor and outdoor testing, technology trial, experimentation, and demonstration in the 95 GHz to 3 THz range; and to market experimental devices designed to operate in the 95 GHz to 3 THz range via direct sale.
- Eligibility condition: Any Indian entity (Academic institute, R&D laboratory, central/ state government, public sector unit, union territory, technology park, telecommunication service provider, incubator, original equipment manufacturer etc.) should be eligible to obtain THEA.
- Marketing of experimental devices: Marketing of experimental devices designed to operate in the 95 GHz to 3 THz range should be permitted under THEA via direct sale.
- Authorisation period: The authorisation period of THEA should be up to five years. The authorisation should be further extendable for periods of up to five years at a time.
- Authorisation fee: The authorisation fee for THEA should be Rs. 1,000 for a period up to five years.
- Authorisation and assignment-exempt operations should be permitted in the 116-123 GHz, 174.8-182 GHz, 185-190 GHz, and 244-246 GHz frequency bands in India.
- The 77-81 GHz frequency range should be opened for authorisation and assignment-exempt operations of automotive radar systems in India.
The THEA, recommended by TRAI, would encourage entrepreneurs and academia to develop innovative new technologies and services in the Tera Hertz band. THEA would help experimenters to evaluate the performance of products in the Tera Hertz band in the conception, development and design stages which would, in turn, pave a path to ascertain the technical viability of technologies and services built on the Tera Hertz spectrum. Upon implementation, the new experimental authorisation regime recommended by TRAI will provide a boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiatives of the Government.
Furthermore, TRAI is of the view that permitting the authorisation and assignment exempt use of the 116-123 GHz, 174.8-182 GHz, 185-190 GHz, and 244-246 GHz bands would support the introduction of next-generation wireless technologies that could be deployed both indoor and outdoor, operating over distances ranging from less than a meter to several hundred meters, and deliver increased capacity and reliability for existing use cases as well as new and emerging use cases. Releasing these bands would also support a variety of innovative use cases that will significantly enhance operations and growth in vertical industries.
