COAI represents incumbent operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Concept
Indian operators want spectrum within the 6 GHz band to successfully develop 5G networks within the nation, based on SP Kochhar, normal director of the Mobile Operators Affiliation of India (COAI).
“Sadly within the final public sale, we might get solely 800 megahertz which suggests now we have a deficiency of 1,200 megahertz. If there must be an efficient rollout of 5G within the mid-band, the spectrum requirement will probably be met absolutely by taking 1,200 megahertz from the 6 GHz vary and giving it to IMT,” the manager stated in an interview with native newspaper The Financial Occasions.
COAI represents incumbent operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Concept. Jio and Airtel have almost accomplished pan-India deployments of their 5G networks, whereas Vodafone Concept has but to commercially launch its 5G companies.
The chief famous there’s a mismatch between the quantity of spectrum accessible to native carriers and the geographical territory that they need to cowl with their 5G networks.
“We aren’t getting the appropriate sort of spectrum. The 5G rollout is principally occurring within the 3.3-3.6 GHz vary and that’s the place we require 2 gigahertz if now we have to optimally roll out 5G,” he added.
The chief additionally highlighted that spectrum necessities are anticipated to be greater for 6G networks and urged the Indian authorities to plan a spectrum pipeline taking into consideration the projected demand.
The federal government of India lately confirmed that the upcoming spectrum public sale is slated to start out on Might 20.
Within the upcoming public sale, 5G airwaves in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz and 26 GHz bands will probably be put up on the market. Operators looking for to purchase spectrum can apply till April 22. A mock spectrum public sale will probably be carried out on Might 13-14, based on the reviews.
In keeping with sources with data of the matter, the public sale will solely draw just a few bids from Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Concept (Vi) for renewing their frequencies.
The permits of Bharti Airtel and Vi will expire in 2024 in a few of India’s geographic circles. Airtel’s airwave renewals this 12 months are within the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands within the circles of J&Ok, Odisha, Bihar, UP-East, West Bengal and Assam. Vi faces spectrum renewals in West Bengal (900 MHz and 1800 MHz) and UP-West (900 MHz).