Widespread spectrum availability to add $27 billion to India's GDP; urge availability of 6Ghz for 5G: GSMA

5G

Global telco body GSMA said that widespread availability of spectrum for 5G could contribute nearly $27 billion to India's GDP by 2030 and reiterated that the upper 6 GHz band must be part of the spectrum roadmap of the country.

“India’s 5G momentum has gained global attention and respect. For it to continue, and for the full realisation of the Indian government’s digital ambitions, a clear roadmap to deliver spectrum for growing mobile demand is needed. The upper 6 GHz band must be part of that roadmap and bringing it into commercial use will require close collaboration between government and the mobile industry,” Luciana Camargos, Head of Spectrum for the GSMA, said in a statement.

GSMA said that the mid-band spectrum is the only way for leading countries to meet future data traffic demands.

The body also called for a partnership between the Indian government and its mobile sector to help drive the commercialisation of the 6 GHz mobile spectrum, which will play a central role in delivering enhanced broadband and sustainable industrial development.

In its latest report, GSMA said that India must analyse the cost-benefit of the 6 GHz range and consider the impact of reduced mobile performance and penetration against any perceived benefits of competing uses for the upper 6 GHz band.

6.425-7.125 GHz should be included for mobile in India’s spectrum roadmap/table of allocations to ensure that the band is commercialised in the country, GSMA added.

India has become one of the fastest-growing 5G markets globally in recent years with almost 175 million 5G connections by the end of March 2024 and greatly improved mobile download speeds.

As India develops 5G-Advanced and beyond it will depend on the adoption and commercialisation of the upper 6 GHz band as the only mid-band spectrum currently available to respond to future data traffic demands, GSMA said.

International agreements on the use of the upper 6 GHz band (6.425-7.125 GHz) have already been reached at last year’s World Radiocommunication Conference.

As per GSMA, a total of 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum per market will be needed by 2030 to avoid such constraints and meet the demand of citizens and businesses. For a dense city like Mumbai, a total of 2.5 GHz of mid-band spectrum may be required.