VoicenData Weekly Wrap-Up - Clashes over IT Laws, More Speculation over 5G

The new IT Laws, which came into effect on 26th May, caused massive unrest as opinions differed over their potential pros and cons. Along with this, when and how 5G comes to India still saw great speculation over the week. With 5G networks going live around the world, here is a wrap-up of everything that happened.

WhatsApp and Friends Declare War over IT Laws

Over the last week, WhatsApp and IT Laws was trending on Twitter massively. The reason? The government had asked WhatsApp to provide traceability of forwarded messages. At first glance, it looks like a reasonable request - and it is. With explicit content, misleading messages and images continuously doing the rounds, the government wants to track the perpetrators down.

The laws really don't have teeth when it comes to tracking activities that go on WhatsApp especially. Calls go untraceable, messages go untraceable and all there is left is an IP address, which is not much help. And WhatsApp came with the Freedom of Speech argument to the court, saying that the laws violate the same. WhatsApp argues that “traceability inverts the way law enforcement typically investigates crimes”.

WhatsApp also argues that the government asking to give the names of the source of any content is a human rights violation. However, the Government argued that such requirements are only in case when the message is required for prevention, investigation or punishment of very serious offences. You can read more about this ongoing battle here.

Twitter also came in support of WhatsApp, much to the displeasure of many around the country.

5G Updates from Around the World

Here is a wrap of all the 5G updates from around the world.

India

In India, the murmur around 5G grew to a buzz as DoT officials said that the department is in favor of price cuts for 5G spectrum. Ahead of the 5G Spectrum Auction sometime in 2022, DoT believes that a cut in base price of 5G and the 700 MHz bands will attract better bidding from the telcos.

The telcos might ask for as much as a 50% decrease in the base price, industry experts say. They will also seek an increase in the spectrum payment moratorium period beyond two years. The telcos will also seek a reduced upfront payments at the 5G Spectrum Auction, in 2022. As things stand, we can see little to no bidding at the 5G Spectrum Auction, as telcos such as Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio already have a 4G band – the 800 MHz band – that can support 5G. This looks like it is heading to a stalemate.

DoT also allocated some more spectrum to the telcos for 5G trials. What's more, this time around, the government decided to give spectrum in the mmWave and the 700 MHz band. This move has also got the telcos buzzing - it means that if the government wants them to develop use-cases around these, these bands will go on sale in 2022 at the spectrum auction.

However, at this point, it is all conjecture. DoT is yet to update the National Frequency Allocation Policy, and TRAI is yet to settle on an agreeable base price. Both of which can take up to half a year each.

5G is coming to India, but it is going to take its sweet time, it seems.

Asia

Nokia is marching around the Southeast Asian nations, supplying equipment and supporting next-gen networks. In Malaysia, the Finnish vendor is helping build a Gigabit fiber network. And in Philippines, it tied up with a local telco to build 5G network in the island nation.

Europe

Over in Europe, the EU approved a €2.1 billion scheme to roll out next-gen networks in areas currently with 2G. Executive VP Margrethe Vestager, who is in charge of competition policy, said, “this €2.1 billion scheme will enable the provision of high-performance mobile services to citizens”.

The European Commission further said, “the scheme has an incentive effect to further develop the deployment and operation of passive mobile infrastructure for the provision of high-performance mobile services in the target areas in a manner that promotes connectivity”.

Nokia Sets Data Speed Record

On Wednesday, Nokia and Proximus turned on the world’s fastest fiber access network at a media event in Antwerp. Connecting the Havenhuis building in the Port of Antwerp with the Proximus central office, the network is an example of the first ever 25G PON live network. The network speed exceeded 20 Gbps, making it the fastest fiber network in the world.

Bharti Airtel Shores Up Networks in South India after Reliance Jio

Last week, Jio deployed frequencies in Kerala and Karnataka. Following the same, Airtel also deployed new spectrum that it acquired in the March spectrum auction, in both the states, as well as Tamil Nadu.

Both the telcos have significantly shored up their networks in these states to roll out 5G networks in the same.

More DoT Updates

First, the department has asked the telco to present a PoC for OTP-based switching between Prepaid and Postpaid. COAI had presented a mechanism for the same, and approving the mechanism, the DoT requested for the Proof of Concept.

Next, the department is looking to cut down SUC for satcom from 4% to 1% of AGR. This will apply to all VSAT-based satcom service providers and will make India's satcom market more lucrative.

DoT is also looking to regulate calling over apps such as WhatsApp, by bringing a licensing regime for the same. In the same regard, DoT has sought comments from the home ministry before it starts working on a licensing regime.