TRAI Seeks mmWave Clarity from DoT before Recommending Floor Price

TRAI has asked DoT for recommendations on the mmWave spectrum, before recommending a floor price ahead of the 5G spectrum auction.

Work on 5G Spectrum Auction in Full Flow

The sector regulator wants some clarity regarding the quantum of mmWave that will go on sale. Thereafter, TRAI will recommend a base price.

Till now, the government has only set aside the mid-band spectrum for 5G services. Also, the government had not included the mmWave spectrum in the National Frequency Allocation Policy as well.

What's more, there has been an ongoing dispute between the telcos and satcom companies regarding mmWave. The telcos want a share from the quantum, the satcos don't want to share at all. Historically, though, satcos have exclusively used mmWave spectrum, and they want to uphold the precedent. However, times have changed, and mobile networks have evolved; the mmWave becomes important to deliver the ultra-high speed and ultra-low latency of 5G.

However, satcom providers Hughes Network Systems, Inmarsat and Viasat have urged Indian authorities not to allocate the band to telcos for 5G. Furthermore, the telcos have repeatedly asked DoT and TRAI to include the band in the portfolio for the 5G sale. As such, the government has not provided a solution or taken a decision on the same.

Also, TRAI has sought clarity on whether idle spectrum with other departments will also go on sale.

One of the persons told ET, "any pre-auction base price setting exercise for the 26/28 GHz bands will depend on the quantum available and terms of sharing of such airwaves for satellite and 5G services, and a notification on such sharing is to come via the NFAP, which hasn't happened yet".

Do had sent a reference to the sector regulator last month, seeking new base prices for spectrum. It included 5G airwaves such as 700 MHz, 3.3-3.6 GHz, 600 Mhz and 26/28 GHz; the last support both 5G and satcom. What's more, it sought new prices for 4G airwaves as well, such as 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz. Lastly, in the reference, it asked for TRAI's views on the total quantum of spectrum proposed for sale.

Since both the satcom companies and the telecom companies want the mmWave spectrum, the government has to ensure that it can satisfy all parties while ensuring the best spectrum allocation for everyone.