Indian 5G spectrum auctions Archives - Gizmochina

India prepares for 5G spectrum auction ahead of its 2022 end roll out

Sean — Tue, 31 May 2022 11:46:59 +0000

India is gearing up for the roll out of 5G networking. The government is laying the groundwork for spectrum auctions for the newer and faster bandwidth, which is set to roll out by the end of this year.

The news arrives from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and is in line with our previous reports as well. For those unaware, commercial 5G services in India are set to kick off by next year, with telecom operators are already performing trials in various cities. Furthermore, it is believed that 5G networking will contribute to around 450 billion US Dollars to the Indian economy, with applications helping in accelerating development and creating new jobs.

The Union Minister stated that the 5G roll out will begin sometime in August or September 2022. Telecom operators typically need around six months from the spectrum auction to roll out their respective services, so this would give them enough time to prepare for a commercial 5G launch. Although, the government have already offered the firms extended time up to May 2022 to test their 5G networks as well. So we might see a commercial roll out sooner or possibly a limited manner in certain cities.

Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, stated that “The government is also discussing with telcos and other stakeholders on the spectrum auctions that will be undertaken this year.” To aid this, the government also plans on increasing the fiber backbone in India from 1.5 million kilometers to 2.5 million kilometers by 2022.

India to begin 5G spectrum auctions in May: Report

Sean — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 09:21:40 +0000

Despite various delays and issues, it seems like 5G auctions in India are set to kick off soon. The spectrum auctions leading to 5G’s commercial launch in India will reportedly begin in May 2022.

According to a new report, a senior official from the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has revealed that 5G spectrum auction is on its way and will begin sometime in May 2022. Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav had previously stated that the TRAI has confirmed that it would be submitting its recommendations for the 5G spectrum auction by March 2022. Furthermore, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is also working on accelerating the entire process to ensure that the auctions are held as soon as possible.

Telecom Secretary K Rajaraman added that following the submission from TRAI, it should take another month for the DoT to make a decision. He said that “TRAI has indicated that they will send it (recommendations) by March. Thereafter, it will take us a month to make a decision around it.” Previously, we had reported on the Indian government kicking off 5G auctions later this year, with a commercial roll out beginning sometime next year. In other words, the news is also in line with previous reports.

The government had taken around 60 to 120 days to start the bidding rounds in previous spectrum auctions after receiving recommendations from the TRAI. So we can also expect a similar timeline this time as well.

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India delays 5G auction as Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea get 6 month trial extension: Report

Sean — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 13:24:20 +0000

While the smartphone market in India has already seen the launch of a number of 5G enabled devices, 5G networking is still not commercially available in the region. Now, a new report has revealed that the original plans for 5G auctions might be even further delayed as well.

Previously, we had reported on the Indian government planning on holding the 5G spectrum auction in November 2021. However, this was rumored to have been pushed back to the first quarter of next year. But now, it seems like the auctions have been postponed even further. The reason for the delay is the six month 5G trial extension that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has given to a number of telecommunication operators in the country.

This includes the likes of Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea (Via ETTelecom). Initially, these telecos were granted permission to conduct trials in the 3500MHz band that was allocated by the government. But while these trials were set to expire later this month on November 26, the Department of Telecommunications has apparently extended the 5G trials by an additional six months. This, in turn, means that the 5G spectrum auctions might be held at a date around May of next year.

The news arrives from sources close to the mater who stted that a lot of works still needs to be done on spectrum availability. Furthermore, even the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has also yet to provide recommendation on a number of bands. This includes the 700 MHz, 3.3 to 3.6GHz and the millimeter wave.

Indian 5G spectrum auctions most likely to be held in February 2022, no 5G launch this year

Zohaib Ahmed — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 11:15:13 +0000

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on a briefing on Wednesday said that Indian 5G spectrum auctions will “most probably” be held sometime in February 2022 and that the government may even try for a January timeline.

Jio had announced a 5G launch by late 2021 back in December 2020. However, postponements in the Indian 5G spectrum auctions and a few other factors have now pushed the date to sometime in 2022.

Speaking to PTI, the minister also said that the Indian telecom reforms package cleared by the Cabinet is sufficient for the survival of players in the industry and that it will ensure healthy competition. He also implied that more players may come in thanks to more reforms and structural changes.

The briefing was held as part of an approval for a blockbuster relief package for the stressed telecom sector in India. The package includes permission to share scarce airwaves, a four-year break for companies from paying statutory dues, a change in the definition of revenue on which levies are paid, and 100 percent foreign investment through the automatic route.

The appointed date for reforms including the moratorium period has been set as October 1. It was also stated that a company has the option to pay the interest amount by way of equity if they’re unable to pay during the moratorium period.

Vaishnaw further added that he had spoken to all key players after Wednesday’s briefing and that companies are happy with the announced set of measures. “All the three big players feel that this was absolutely what was needed,” he said.

On concerns regarding high spectrum prices, the minister said that TRAI is currently consulting and that it is advisable to wait for their final report.

Self-KYC (App based) permitted.
E-KYC rate revised to only One Rupee.
Shifting from Pre- paid to Post-paid and vice-versa will not require fresh KYC.#TelecomReforms #CabinetDecisions pic.twitter.com/3hwL5ocusG

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 15, 2021

Lastly, he said that detailed circulars on each of the decisions taken as part of the telecom package will be released by the government soon. The fine print of AGR redefinition that seeks to exclude non-telecom items is expected in 2-3 weeks.

“The thought process behind this reform package is looking at next 25 years timeframe…what are the corrections we need to do, what are the reforms we need to do, structural changes we need to make. All that should lead to benefits for the weakest sections of society, and better facilities for those marginalized and living in far-flung areas,” the minister said.