DoT streamlines RoW regulations to hasten 5G installation

The RoW application process for small cells has reportedly been simplified as a result of the revisions. At a low fee of Rs 150 per year in rural regions and Rs 300 per year in urban areas, telecom licensees would be able to utilise street infrastructure to put telecom equipment.

To facilitate a quicker and simpler rollout of of telecom infrastructure, The Department of Telecommunications(DoT) amended the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules, 2016, and it also introduced a 5G RoW application form on the GatiShakti Sanchar Portal to support a quicker 5G rollout in the nation.

In his remarks to the media on Thursday, Telcom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the importance of four fundamental building blocks- spectrum allotment, changes to the way RoW clearance is processed, cooperative federalism, and service deployment.

"More towers, poles, fibre, and bandwidth are needed for 5G. More communications infrastructure will need to be launched as a result, he added.

The RoW application process for small cells has reportedly been simplified as a result of the revisions. At a low fee of Rs 150 per year in rural regions and Rs 300 per year in urban areas, telecom licensees would be able to utilise street infrastructure to put telecom equipment.

Additionally, street infrastructure may be used to construct overground optical fibre at a low cost of Rs 100 per year in order to facilitate speedier fiberization. Additionally, the modifications distinguish between "poles" and "mobile towers."

To lower the cost of compliance, the telecom department has rationalised administrative costs. Communication licencees do not need government clearance to engage into a contract with private property owners for the construction of telecom infrastructure.

An official press release notes that "in order to prepare India for the introduction of 5G, the IT systems of all states/UTs and important infrastructure government ministries, including railways and highways, have been connected with the Central RoW portal."

According to Vaishnaw, 13 states and UTs have included considered approval clauses to their RoW policies to ensure quick approvals. The average time to approve a RoW application has significantly decreased as a result of these steps, dropping from 435 days in 2019 to 16 days in July 2022."

Jaideep Ghosh, COO, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. on DoT amending RoW rules said, "Right of Way has been an impediment for faster roll out of telecom networks due to a plethora of varying processes and rates across several agencies and states. Bringing RoW on a single platform, along with other elements of telecom networks, is a leapfrog step for India."