The Division of Telecommunications (DoT) is ready to start out charging telecom operators for the usage of high-frequency radio bands—spectrum at the moment important for tower-to-tower communication—marking a key coverage shift aimed toward monetising India’s wi-fi infrastructure, NDTV Revenue reported, citing sources.
Additionally Learn: Telcos to Oppose DoT’s Transfer to Delicense Decrease 6GHz Band, Citing 5G Growth Considerations: Report
Authorities to Cost for Key Backhaul Spectrum
These excessive frequencies, together with the 6 GHz, 7 GHz, 13 GHz, 15 GHz, and 21 GHz bands, are at the moment utilized by main operators resembling Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Concept for microwave backhaul, which facilitates the transmission of knowledge and voice site visitors between telecom towers. To date, these bands have been accessible to be used with no devoted charge, barring a nominal Spectrum Utilization Cost.
“To date, operators have used these bands with out paying any direct charge, aside from a nominal Spectrum Utilization Cost. Nonetheless, the federal government is now shifting to monetise this infrastructure,” the report quoted sources as saying.
The federal government, in coordination with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), is now working to finalise the phrases for assigning these frequencies, together with setting a reserve worth or base tariff. The phrases are anticipated to be introduced inside the subsequent two to 3 months following consultations with telecom corporations and trade stakeholders.
Potential Affect on Client Tariffs
The transfer is anticipated to extend working prices for telecom operators, who’re already underneath monetary stress on account of excellent Adjusted Gross Income (AGR) dues. In line with the report, trade consultants warn that if the pricing framework shouldn’t be economically viable, some operators could choose out of buying these bands.
Additionally Learn: Centre Notifies Draft Guidelines to Delicense Decrease 6 GHz Band for Wi-Fi Use
Decrease 6 GHz band
This improvement comes shortly after the federal government notifies draft guidelines to delicense the decrease 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz) to help next-generation Wi-Fi applied sciences. Not like that initiative, which promotes public web entry and innovation, the present proposal seeks to manage and monetise unique spectrum utilized by telecom companies for core community infrastructure.
Excessive-frequency bands above 6 GHz play an important position in India’s telecom ecosystem, appearing as wi-fi highways that hyperlink 1000’s of towers throughout the nation. Introducing fees for these hyperlinks might have a cascading influence on service supply, shopper tariffs, and rural connectivity, in accordance with the report.
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