TRAI starts consultation on pricing of new spectrum bands, know details here

TRAI issued a consultation paper to discuss issues related to spectrum pricing validity and payment terms. These include the auction of three new spectrum bands for mobile services - 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz - for which views have been sought from stockholders. Let us know about them.

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:30 PM (IST)
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TRAI starts consultation on pricing of new spectrum bands, know details here

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Thursday sought the views of stockholders on the auction of three new spectrum bands for mobile services - 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz. The agency had issued a consultation paper to discuss issues related to pricing, validity and payment terms of this spectrum.

This is the first time that three spectrum bands of 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz are being offered for auction. This proposal will make the 4,000 MHz spectrum available for future 5G services.

These block bands - 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz, 2,300 MHz, 2,500 MHz, 3,300 MHz and 26 GHz - will be put on the block in the upcoming spectrum auction to be held on June 6.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today issued a consultation paper on the auction of spectrum in the 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands identified for IMT, the press release said.

In the consultation paper, TRAI has sought industry views on various nuances of spectrum auction in these new bands, including pricing, validity, preferred block size, spectrum cap, rollout obligations and other terms and conditions.

In total, 4,000 MHz of frequency spectrum will be available in each Licensed Service Area (LSA) in these categories. Whereas 37-37.5 GHz band will work for mobile services. The other two bands 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz will serve for mobile and satellite gateway links.

TRAI has asked the industry to submit written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper by May 2, 2024, and counter-comments by May 16, 2024.

TRAI asked whether the entire available spectrum in each frequency in the ranges of 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz should be put in an auction for IMT. If you are of the opinion that any of the frequencies in question, the 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz ranges should be put up for auction at a later date. What should be the deadline for the auction of such frequency bands for IMT?

TRAI also asked whether the spectrum in these frequency ranges should be allocated for a validity period of 20 years or a shorter validity period, as is prevalent in the existing frequency bands.

Other questions raised by TRAI in the consultation paper are whether these radiowaves should be allocated to existing Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) for access service (i.e. telecom circles/metropolitan areas), or should be allocated to smaller service areas. should go.

Further, the question was raised whether the value of spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz spectrum bands should be obtained by adding the determined price/price of spectrum in any other band through auction using spectral efficiency factor. May go.

Muskan Kumawat Journalist & Writer