DoT declines TRAI’s proposal seeking permission to allow companies to build internal 5G networks on their premises

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has rejected the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) suggestions to enable private enterprises to build internal 5G networks within their buildings.

Another proposal rejected by DoT, was that an organization may lease 5G spectrum from Telecom service providers (TSPs) and create their own secluded captive wireless private network (CPWN). The Department of Telecommunications justified that rejected proposals call for, “additional ecosystem investigation, inclusive of demand assessment, business models, implementation framework among other factors.”

However, the DoT is on the same page with TRAI On its recommendation of auctioning various spectrum bands. According to TRAI:“The third option of leasing of spectrum is essential to meet the demand for private networks. The leasing option can be implemented now itself. TRAI has already recommended that the entire available spectrum should be put to auction in the forthcoming auction.”

The government is expected to organize a 5G spectrum auction, early in June, informed the telecom minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw. He said that the department of Telecom is operating according to a schedule and the required steps are being taken, to address industry concerns over spectrum price.

Telecom Operators including Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Bharti Airtel Ltd. among others, have opposed the moderator’s recommendation that enterprises in India should be allowed to set up internal wireless networks using 5G technology just like the US and Europe.

What is 5G and what is its role?

Following the previous generations of 2G, 3G, and 4G of mobile networks, 5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks. The 5G is expected to provide significantly higher connection speeds than earlier networks.

Wireless telecommunication equipments transmit data over the air using radio frequencies, also called (Spectrum). 5G is a lot similar to 4G, however, it uses the less crowded higher radio frequencies. This enables it to transport more data at a comparatively faster rate. Millimeter waves are the higher frequency bands (mmwaves). Regulators have now made them available for licensing, after they were previously unlicensed.

South Korea was the first country to implement the technology on a wide basis, with around 224 operators in as many as 88 nations investing in 5G as of April 2019.

What makes it so unique?

The speed of the of the network, being the most obvious benefit of 5G over 4G or any other network. Moreover, there are benefits of lower latency, which means speedy responses and download rates. Because of the increased operating efficiency, this offers a slew of new possibilities across the board.