The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 30th November 2021 has released a Consultation Paper on “Auction of spectrum in the frequencies identified for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) / 5G” and has invited comments from the stakeholders by 28th December 2021 and counter-comments by 11th January 2022. The comments/ counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form at advmn@trai.gov.in.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has requested TRAI to provide recommendations on the following issues:
- To provide recommendations on applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in 526-698 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300- 3670 MHz and 24.25-28.5 GHz bands for IMT/5G.
- Provide recommendations on quantum of spectrum/band, if any, to be earmarked for private captive/isolated 5G networks, competitive/transparent method of allocation, and pricing, for meeting the spectrum requirements if captive 5G applications of industries for machine/plant automation purposes/Machine-toMachine (M2M) in premises.
- Associated conditions like upfront payments, applicable moratorium period after upfront payments, number of deferred payment instalments and other related modalities for auction of spectrum with validity for 30 years.
- Any other recommendations deemed fit for the purpose of spectrum auction in these frequency bands, including the regulatory/technical requirements as enunciated in the relevant provisions of the latest ITU-R Radio Regulations.
Further in the Consultation Paper, background information about spectrum frequencies 526-698 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz and 24.25-28.5 GHz (mmWave), which are proposed to be auctioned for the first time, is given in detail.
