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Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have all reached out to DoT to include mmWave spectrum bands in the upcoming 5G Spectrum Auction. These spectrum bands are imperative for the 5G rollout in India. The association sent the letter to DoT Secy Anshu Prakash on 15th March.
COAI's Letter to the DoT
COAI members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. The telecom association sent the letter to the DoT on 15th March. The letter comes just a month after a parliamentary panel recommended that mmWave be earmarked and allocated for commercial 5G.
COAI has asked DoT to refer mmWave spectrum band to TRAI. Notably, the mmWave spectrum bands refer to 26 GHz, 28 GHz and 37 GHz bands. The association hopes that the bands' minimum price be fixed and can be included in the 5G spectrum auction.
S.P. Kochhar, Director General at COAI, called the same as an "imperative requirement" in the letter. Further, the COAI highlighted the importance of 26 and 28 GHz as critical airwaves for 5G in India. After “great effort and support from DoT”, these bands were identified for 5G by the ITU in 2019.
However, India is yet to roll out 5G services. 5G spectrum auction will happen within the next 6 months, as per a Parliamentary standing committee report dated February 8. Consequently, 5G will be launched either later this year or early 2022.
The Spectrum Conundrum
The telcos want DoT to persuade TRAI to allot both mmWave and mid-band spectrum (in 3.3-3.6 Ghz) for 5G. However, the regulator has so far only allotted the latter for 5G. During recent consultations with the previously mentioned Tharoor-led panel, Bharti Airtel had said “India must consider allocation of mmWave bands for 5G and make it a part of the auction along with the 3.4-3.6 GHz bands”.
However, the DoT Secy told the committee that the launch will not be on pan-India. Rather, it will be launched in areas where the demand justifies the investments. The DoT is likely to ask TRAI to review the minimum price of bands (3,300-3,600MHz) earmarked for 5G.
DoT can also refer the 700 MHz for price revision to TRAI. The band comes under sub-1 GHz bands which can carry both 4G and 5G via dynamic spectrum sharing. The spectrum band was very highly priced, therefore, the band went unsold for two auctions in a row.
Furthermore, telcos, time and time again, insist that the floor price recommended by the TRAI is “unaffordable". As a result, it will seriously hamper the introduction of 5G services in India. Notably, the reserve price for 5G spectrum has been set at ₹492 crore/MHz in the 3.3-3.6 GHz bands, which are considered ideal for 5G telecom services.
In case of mmWave spectrum, telcos warned that unavailability of 26 GHz and 28 GHz spectrum could be adverse for India’s 5G. These bands are amongst the most efficient for 5G. If these bands are not available, 5G deployment costs would jump several-fold. That would make the ultra-fast wireless broadband service unaffordable, which is quite counterproductive.
(For more detail on 5G spectrum bands and how they work, you can refer to the article here)
Where are India's 5G Airwaves?
Both mmWave and mid-band 5G airwaves are with the Department of Space and the Defence Ministry. An apex panel of secretaries recently urged them to consider DoT’s request to part with all idle 5G spectrum for commercial use. The DoT has urged the government to release an incredible 3,000 units of premium mmWaves. Also, there are 300 units in the 3.3-3.6 Ghz available as well. However, telcos want at least 400 units of mmWave spectrum per operator. The amount of spectrum is crucial for affordable 5G services in India.
Watch this space, no matter the fact that there is nothing fixed for India’s first 5G spectrum sale. Even so, it is pretty much upon us.