PMO pushes for 5G launch by August 15; DoT urges TRAI to speed up recommendations

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to submit the recommendations on the reserve price of spectrum for 5G auctions before March because the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) wants the initial launch of 5G by August 15, 2022.

Reportedly, the DoT has also informed TRAI about the availability of additional spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands that can be included for the upcoming mega spectrum auction.

The mega spectrum auctions will pave the way for next-generation 5G services to be rolled out in India. The DoT wrote to TRAI to submit its recommendations in a given timeframe and obtain the regulator’s views before March 2022.

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The DoT asked TRAI to expedite recommendations on the spectrum because an informal deadline of August 15 has been fixed for the launch of 5G services.

DoT letter to TRAI

According to the Financial Express, the DoT said in a letter to TRAI, “The PMO has requested the DoT to work towards the initial launch of 5G by August 15, 2022. TRAI is requested to expedite the matter and provide the recommendations at the earliest.”

This comes at a time when the TRAI is in the process of finalising its recommendations on modalities for the auction of spectrum across multiple bands. Reportedly, the DoT in its letter also requested the regulator to review the channel plan in the 800 MHz band.

Reportedly, last year the government planned to launch 5G services by August 15 and to conduct the auction in April-May. The Department of Telecommunications is working on other processes to hold the auction as soon as possible. The government is also expected to award frequencies for the provision of 5G services. 5G technology operates in three frequency bands – lower frequency, mid-band frequency and high frequency.