The PMO wants 5G in India by this year’s Independence Day.
The DoT requires recommendations for a reserve price of the 5G spectrum from TRAI.
More spectrum is available in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.
5G-equipped phones are here. People also have been waiting for 5G for a while now. But, if new reports are to be believed, things are picking up pace and even the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) wants 5G to be here by August 15, 2022, i.e., this year’s Independence Day. Apparently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to drop its recommendations on the reserve price and rules for the 5G allocation process.
"Trai has indicated that they will send it (recommendations) by March. Thereafter, it will take us a month to make a decision around it," says Telecom Secretary K Rajaraman.
5G in India by 15 August: Know the details
So, as already mentioned DoT wants recommendations from TRAI regarding the pricing and sale process of 5G. Once they have that, it is said to take 2 months to kick off the auction. At least that’s what Rajaraman predicts.
The list of suggestions it has sought from TRAI also includes block size of spectrum and payments terms and conditions.
TRAI does its due diligence and will pick the brains of all stakeholders of this whole 5G rollout like telecom operators.
Anyways, once it does its part, the Digital Communications Commission (previously the Telecom Commission) will review the recommendations and then pass them to the cabinet for ultimate approval.
“In reference to decisions/action points emanating from deliberations of a monitoring group, PMO has requested DoT to work towards the initial launch of 5G by August 15, 2022, and also explore the possibility of obtaining requisite recommendations from Trai before March 2022. In view of the above, Trai is requested to expedite the matter and provide the recommendations at the earliest,” remarked DoT in a letter to TRAI.
So, PM Modi’s office wants 5G to be up and running by August 15, 2022. So, the clock is ticking.
Also, the DoT has revealed that the 900MHz, as well as 800MHz and 1800MHz, are now available for auction.
So, let’s see if things stay on track and how it all work out. We shall keep you posted.
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G. S. Vasan
Vasan is a word weaver and tech junkie who is currently geeking out as a news writer at Digit. View Full Profile
