The Indian government aims to kickstart the deployment of ultra-high speed 5G networks in the country by 2020.
Government-backed 5G technology trials are expected to commence not earlier than the end of the current calendar year or early next year, according to a recently constituted committee looking into field trial initiative.
The much-anticipated 5G field trials have hit the policy roadblock with the department of telecom (DoT) wireless planning and coordination wing being averse to allocate airwaves beyond 90 days, which according to industry, would not serve any purpose, reported Economic Times (ET).
Abhay Karandikar, director, IIT Kanpur and chairman of the recently set up committee to look into 5G spectrum for trials, told ET that the industry needs to get trial spectrum for a reasonable duration or for at least 1 year with a minimum cost to telecom carriers for carrying out 5G trials.
He further informed that current mechanisms of experimental license by DoT require modifications in terms of scope and duration for enabling telecom service providers and industry to undertake the 5G trial at the network level.
Development so far
On February 25, the department has formed a committee, headed by Karandikar, with representation from the academia, industry and the government, to make recommendations related to licensing for carrying out 5G pilots, and also asked for the quantum, size, price and other aspects for offering experimental spectrum.
Earlier in 2018, the government had asked telecom service providers — Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio — to partner with telecom gear makers such as Cisco, Samsung, Ericsson and Nokia, and showcase India-specific 5G use cases by early 2019.
The department, however, has so far excluded Chinese ZTE from awarding intent letter to participate in trials. Huawei is still waiting for clarity from the government to conduct 5G trials and deploy 5G network within the 3 week’s time after the allocation of trial radio waves.
The Indian government, however, aims to kickstart the deployment of ultra-high speed 5G networks in the country by 2020.
