TRAI starts consultation on new spectrum bands for IMT, satcom

TRAI begins consultation on pricing, terms for new spectrum bands

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) initiated discussions on key aspects such as pricing and the number of new spectrum bands in three new higher frequency ranges, which will make available around 4,000 megahertz radiowaves for mobile services.

Trai has sought views on pricing, allocation norms, and payment terms, among other things, for spectrum in the frequency bands 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz for IMT or mobile services.

While the 37-37.5 GHz band is for mobile services, the other two bands 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz are for mobile and Satellite Gateway links.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has identified frequency ranges 37-37.5 GHz for IMT and 37.5 40 GHz as well as 42.5 43.5 GHz for both international mobile telecommunication (IMT) and satellite gateway links, which shall be made available in the next auction.

The department approached the regulator in August 2023 seeking its recommendation on pricing, allocation norms, etc. The department selected the new set of spectrum bands after an internal committee consulted all key stakeholders, including representatives from the telecom and space sectors, in 2022.

In the consultation paper, the regulator has sought the industry's opinion on various nuances of the spectrum auction in these new bands, including pricing, validity, preferred block size, spectrum caps, rollout obligations, and other terms and conditions.

The regulator said there could be challenges in sharing 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz spectrum frequency ranges between IMT and Satellite Gateway links.

Experts said that the spectrum in new frequency bands can be utilised to provide 5G and 6G services. These frequencies are essential for enabling advanced applications in critical sectors, including healthcare, robotics, and Industry 4.0.

"Whether the entire available spectrum in each of the frequency ranges 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz, should be put to auction for IMT...In case you are of the opinion that any of the frequency ranges viz. 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz should be put to auction at a later date, what should be the timelines for auctioning of such frequency bands for IMT," Trai asked in its paper.

The regulator has asked the industry to submit written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper by May 2, 2024, and counter-comments by May 16, 2024.