TRAI has released recommendations on ‘the Frequency Spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands Identified for IMT’.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has requested Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to:

  • Provide recommendations on applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, 26 GHz, 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).
  • Provide any other recommendations deemed fit for the purpose of spectrum auction in these frequency bands, including the regulatory/ technical requirements as enunciated in the relevant provisions of the latest National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP)/radio regulations of International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

On September 1, 2023, TRAI sent a response to DoT wherein regarding the existing spectrum bands viz. 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz, TRAI reiterated its recommendation dated April 11, 2022, and stated that all available spectrum in the existing bands may be put to auction with the same band plan, block size and associated conditions. Further, TRAI informed DoT that it would initiate a consultation process for providing recommendations in respect of the new referred spectrum bands viz. 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands.

In this regard, TRAI issued a consultation paper on ‘Auction of Frequency Spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands Identified for IMT’ dated April 4, 2024 for seeking comments and counter comments of stakeholders. In response, 12 stakeholders submitted comments, and four stakeholders furnished counter-comments. An open house discussion on the consultation paper was held through virtual mode on July 10, 2024.

Based on the comments received from stakeholders during the consultation process, and on its own analysis, TRAI has finalised Recommendations on ‘the Frequency Spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands Identified for IMT’. Salient points of these recommendations are given below:

  • The frequency spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz and 37.5-40 GHz frequency ranges should be put to auction in the forthcoming spectrum auction.
  • Owing to the non-availability of the device ecosystem in 42.5-43.5 GHz frequency range, it will be prudent that the frequency range 42.5-43.5 GHz is not put to auction in the forthcoming spectrum auction. DoT may send a separate reference for seeking the Authority’s recommendations for 42.5-43.5 GHz frequency range for IMT at an appropriate time.
  • The Band plan n260 with TDD-based duplexing configuration should be adopted for 37-40 GHz frequency range.
  • The frequency spectrum in the band n260 (37-40 GHz) should be auctioned with a block size of 100 MHz on Licensed Service Area (LSA) (Telecom Circle/ Metro) basis with a validity period of 20 years.
  • The spectrum cap for the frequency band n260 (37-40 GHz) should be kept as 40 per cent of the total spectrum put to auction and it should not be clubbed with 26 GHz band for the purpose of spectrum cap.
  • The minimum roll-out obligations for the band n260 (37-40 GHz) should be similar to that prescribed in the NIA, 2024 for 26 GHz band, and minimum roll-out obligations should be equally applicable for all telecom service providers that is, existing as well as the new telecom service providers.
  • In addition to the access service providers, internet service providers (Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B’), and machine-to-machine (M2M) service providers (Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B’) under the unified license, should also be permitted to participate in the auction of spectrum for frequency band n260 (37-40 GHz).
  • The recommended reserve price per MHz (Rs. in lakh) in 37-40 GHz band is – convert the table into a para
  • For the payment terms, two options (i) upfront payment option and (ii) 20 equal annual instalments option, should be allowed for the assignment of spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz and 37.5-40 GHz spectrum bands.

The availability of frequency spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz and 37.5-40 GHz frequency ranges to telecom service providers will enable setting up of high-capacity, low-latency communication networks for advanced use cases. TRAI has recommended that in addition to the access service providers, internet service providers and M2M service providers should also be permitted to participate in the auction.