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According to a report by CNBC-Awaaz, the telcos have approached the DoT for a 5G trials extension. What's more, the report added that DoT might oblige and extend the trials till the end of the current fiscal.
5G Trials Extension on the Cards as Telcos Seek More Time
The trials, ongoing since May, have seen telcos develop a variety of use cases over the spectrum allocated by DoT. Back then, the DoT had set the timeline at November 2021. However, with telcos still working to test the core use cases over the network, it is impossible that anyone will complete the trials satisfactorily come November.
Incidentally, the news channel also added that the DoT might extend the timeline till the end of the fiscal. Given that only Airtel has conducted rural 5G tests, and only Jio has tested 5G VoNR, it looks highly unlikely that everyone will be at the same footing come November. Therefore, the extension might seem like a reasonable option here.
The Developments So Far
So far, Jio has developed the most use cases among the telcos. Not only it tested voice and messaging over 5G, but it has also developed a few more cases. Immersive HD VR meeting and an AI-based multimedia chatbot form the two other use cases, after testing its VoNR. Jio recently announced that it has been in talks with automotive OEMs to deliver vehicle connectivity solutions over its 5G network.
On the other hand, Airtel has demonstrated its cloud gaming solution. Along with this, it has become the first telco to test 5G in a rural area. Airtel CTO Randeep Sekhon has already said that the telco would launch commercial 5G just 2 quarters after the government sells the spectrum for it.
Vodafone Idea, however, has been the one lagging the most behind. Yet, the telco has the fastest 5G among the three telcos. Vi recorded a speed of 3.7 GHz, the fastest among all the telcos doing 5G trials. The telco also has recently partnered with L&T to develop more 5G-powered use cases, such as smart city solutions.
More Uncertainty over 5G after 5G Trials Extension
Unfortunately, it is looking more and more likely that it will come later rather than sooner. The government has been working on a plan to figure out when to conduct the 5G spectrum sale. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the telecom minister, had said that the government will create an auction calendar, in order to streamline the whole process.
However, DoT has a lot of work pending before it invites applications for the 5G spectrum auction. It has to ask for recommendations to TRAI, then TRAI will move with the consultations from the sector stakeholders, then it will send the said recommendations to the DCC for approval. After approvals and modifications, TRAI will then send those recommendations to the Cabinet for approval. At last, after what will take about a year, DoT will invite applications for the spectrum sale.
If we assume that everything will take a year, and then add the Airtel CTO’s comments in the mix, we are looking at a commercial 5G rollout in 2023-24. Till then, let’s sit back and dream.