The telecom operators are demanding that the 5G trials must be carried out at the earliest and spectrum for the identical must be granted for a minimum one particular year. The operators have also sought import duty waiver on the 5G trial gear though asking for flexibility to conduct trials in any place inside the circle as per allocated spectrum.
It has been demanded that no gear/application vendor must be restricted for conducting the lab trial and operators must have the flexibility to conduct the trial for “Make in India” options with minimum to no requirement of submitting documents to division of telecommunications (DoT).
The telcos, by way of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), has written to DoT that directions for the conduct of trials for 5G technologies could be issued at the earliest. “The 5G trial applications were submitted by the telecom service providers in January 2020, however, till date the approvals for progressing, instructions for conduct for these trials have not been made clear and there is no set date for commencement of these trials,” COAI mentioned in a letter to DoT secretary Anshu Prakash, a copy of which has been noticed by The Spuzz.
It will have to be pointed out that telecom operators have submitted a number of applications for conducting 5G trials. Although the government has not outrightly banned Chinese firms from participating, it has place in circumstances to bar firms primarily based in nations sharing a land border with India. The government has currently imposed restrictions on public procurement from China and this situation could also be applied to 5G trials as spectrum is a public asset and it will be provided to operators for a nominal charge for carrying out the trials.
Though initially the COAI was opposed to any restrictions becoming place on Chinese vendors on the ground that geopolitical difficulties must not be mixed with small business, providers gradually ready themselves for life devoid of the Chinese vendors.
Last year, DoT had notified suggestions for conducting 5G trials. As per the guidelines, a uniform charge of Rs 5,000 has been fixed for the trial licence. The validity of the licence will variety in between 3 months to two years, based on the goal for which the trial is becoming carried out.
As per the suggestions, the quantum of the spectrum that can be allocated depends on its necessity and demonstration of technological capabilities. For instance, common values could be up to one hundred megahertz in 3.5 GHz (gigahertz) band, 400 MHz in 26 GHz band and other prospective millimetre bands, the suggestions mentioned.