Editorial – May 2019

What are the 5G spectrum bands? Which among these are up for auctions? Will one year free-trial period be allowed or be restricted to 90 days? How will different entities co-exist in certain bands? These are some of the most hotly contested and debated issues these days. Our cover story, 5G spectrum, answers all these questions based on DoT reports, CEWiT researches, BIF demands and Trai statements. Spectrum usages by I&B and DoS have also been mapped because most of the intersections are happening with these two ministries.

In the lower frequency (MHz) bands, 380 MHz bandwidth has been identified, while 1,600 MHz has been planned in higher (GHz) frequency band.

In the 617-803 MHz band, 105 MHz (698-803) is available for 5G deployment. The rest, 81 MHz (617-698) is being used by I&B ministry for terrestrial broadcasting, while some part of it 52 MHz (646-698) is also being used by defence. 275 MHz is available in the 3300-3600 MHz band as only 25 MHz (3400-3425) is being used by DoS.

The 3600-3700 MHz band is being used by Department of Space (DoS) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Its unavailability for IMT services has also been stated by WPC wing. In the 24.25-27.50 GHz band, 600 MHz is available (24.65 to 25.25 GHz). 400 MHz (24.25-24.65 GHz) is being used by civil aviation and 250 MHz (25.25 to 27.50 GHz) is being used by DoS. CEWiT has recommended co-existence (25.25 to 25.85 GHz) with ISRO so that 24.25 to 25.85 GHz (1600 MHz bandwidth) is available to accommodate four operators with 400 MHz bandwidth each. CEWiT has asked for details on earth station positions for co-existence analysis. DoS and ISRO often deny co-existence on the ground that it interferes with earth station positions. This has come up in the 3600-3700 MHz band and also for 27.5-29.5 GHz band.

Much hinges on the government’s decision on the DoS / ISRO’s usage in the 25.25 to 25.85 GHz band. In addition to the 3300-3600 MHz recommended by Trai, DoT wants to deploy 28 GHz band for 5G services as is done in the advanced markets of the world.

For 5G technology to be fully exploited, contiguous spectrum is required. The government should free up non-critical spectrum from I&B ministry, DoS/ISRO just as it farmed spectrum from defence through vacation projects executed with USOF. Plus read all about the latest spectrum related 5G details in the US in this edition.