TRAI seeks industry views on microwave spectrum allocation post-Telecom Act overhaul

Microwave spectrum helps mobile networks send data from one place to another if fibre or cable is unavailable to connect towers.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come out with a consultation paper inviting input from stakeholders on the allocation of microwave spectrum, which helps mobile networks send data from one place to another if fibre or cable is unavailable to connect towers.

The move follows a request from the department of telecommunications (DoT) in September following changes in the regulatory framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

DoT first approached TRAI in August 2022 for recommendations on assigning spectrum in 6GHz, 7GHz, 13GHz, 15GHz, 18GHz, 21GHz, and the E and V bands.

But after the new telecom law came into effect in December 2023, the regulator suggested that TRAI reconsider its reference, as under the changed legislation the backhaul spectrum fell under administrative allocation.

In February 2024, TRAI requested DoT to clarify the revised scope for which it needed recommendations.

DoT has now asked the regulator to provide a comprehensive assessment covering several areas. These include evaluating demand and usage possibilities for the V-band (57–66 GHz) and E-band (71–76 GHz / 81–86 GHz), and determining whether they should be used for access, backhaul, or integrated access and backhaul services.

It has also sought suggestions on how to assign spectrum in various microwave bands for commercial backhaul, along with the terms and conditions, including pricing, spectrum caps, and carrier aggregation.

DoT requested an assessment of whether the 7GHz and 15GHz bands, currently used for backhaul, should be re-evaluated for mobile access following the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) in 2027.

TRAI has also been asked to examine how spectrum in non-IMT bands could be used for last-mile connectivity through Fixed Wireless Access, and for captive backhaul services.

The feasibility of permitting low-power indoor device-to-device communication in the V-band on a licence-exempt basis is also under review.

Stakeholders have until June 25 to submit their inputs, with counter-comments accepted until July 9.

Microwave spectrum for backhaul is a type of wireless technology that helps mobile networks send data from one place to another — like from a mobile tower to the main internet system.

Instead of using cables or fibre, it uses high-frequency radio waves — microwave frequencies — to carry large amounts of data quickly and over long distances. This is especially useful in areas where it’s hard or expensive to lay cables. It’s a key part of making sure calls, videos, and internet services work smoothly on phone, especially with high-speed 4G and 5G networks.

A backhaul network is the infrastructure that connects cellular network to a central core network such as the internet or a data centre.