The telecom department should quickly release spectrum for research and development (R&D) of fifth-generation, or 5G, networks and set up labs to showcase potential uses to industry, a government panel set up to provide a road map for 5G deployment has suggested, reported Livemint.
The committee will submit its report to the government in August. 5G networks will be significantly faster and more reliable than the most advanced 4G network and will support connection of many more devices simultaneously than is possible now.
“In the past, India’s spectrum release has always been small, especially compared to the US. For 5G, our spectrum release will be more than many countries which will bring long-term benefits. Making available spectrum early will also enable the growth of manufacturing capability here,” said A. Paulraj, chairman of the steering committee on 5G deployment.
The committee has also suggested that the government announce the 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, 24 GHz and 28 GHz bands as 5G bands and allow for research trials. Companies in India say they have little appetite for spectrum purchase currently as they are battling the pressure of low tariffs and falling revenue streams after the entry of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, which disrupted the telecom sector in September 2016 with cheap data and free voice calls.
In August, the committee will submit the report on the road map for deployment and will then start working on other focus areas such as building design and manufacturing capacity locally.
A primary goal of the high-level forum is creating a globally competitive product development and manufacturing ecosystem targeting 50% of India market and 10% of global market over the next 5 to 7 years.
