25.2.22

PMO nudges 5G launch

The Department of Telecommunications has asked the telecom regulator to speed up its recommendations on pricing of 5G spectrum, possibly before March, nudged by the wishes of the Prime Minister’s Office for an ‘initial launch’ of the next generation services by August 15 in the country. “PMO has requested DoT to work towards the initial launch of 5G by 15th August 2022, and also explore the possibility of obtaining requisite recommendations from Trai before March 2022,” DoT has said in a letter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India dated February 22. “In view of the above, Trai is requested to expedite the matter and provide the recommendations at the earliest. ” The DoT’s nudge to the telecom regulator on 5G pricing comes within weeks of the telecom regulator holding a marathon open house consultation where Trai chairman PD Vaghela had told stakeholders about the complexity of pricing the spectrum, which required a considerable amount of time to study.

In the letter to Trai, DoT has also communicated availability of extra spectrum in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and the 1800 MHz bands.

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