Government takes big decision for faster rollout of better 5G services and preparation for 6G era

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday said the government has approved refarming of 687 megahertz (MHz) spectrum for the telecom industry from various ministries. Industry bodies have lauded the move for faster rollout of better 5G services across the country and preparation for the 6G era.

Speaking at the 'Digicom Summit' of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) in the national capital, the minister said we have a shortfall of 1,100 MHz spectrum which needs to be completed by 2030.

“In yesterday's cabinet, we have approved refarming of 687 MHz spectrum. 320 MHz will be released immediately, some by the end of next year and the rest by 2028-29, which will make us 2030 ready,” Scindia said.

The spectrum is being refarmed to meet the needs of the telecom industry for 4G, 5G and later 6G services.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted a committee of secretaries to look into how much spectrum various ministries have and whether they are using it productively or merely storing it.

According to Scindia, if spectrum is not being used productively, it should be given where it is needed.

The panel is now working on identifying additional spectrum that can be refarmed and the minister said, “We will ensure that there is no hindrance in the growth of the telecom landscape.”

COAI said that spectrum reformatting will help in launching better 5G services across the country.

COAI Director General Lieutenant General Dr. S.P. Kochhar said, “COAI has logically publicized that the Indian ecosystem needs 2,000 MHz spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services, and we are very happy to note that in accordance with the advice of the Communications Minister, “The cabinet has accepted this quantity.” “They have already allocated spectrum, making our share in the first phase 320 MHz, thus leaving a shortfall of about 400 MHz, which is to be filled in the upcoming presentations to be made by the Committee of Secretaries to the Cabinet. Should,” Kochhar said. Scindia further said that telecom is now an important sector in the development of the country, contributing about 7 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). “In the coming years, the Indian telecom sector will also be important for the world's development,” the minister said.