3-Aug-2022: 4G, 5G and E-Band Spectrum
The Government is facilitating Indian technology companies for the development of 4G, 5G and E-Band spectrum products and solutions through various initiatives including funding, hackathon, pilots.
There are indigenous technology companies who are working on different system of 4G, 5G and E-Band network products. The Government has approved the funding for the 5G and E-Band technologies under its Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS) scheme with defined milestones and deliverables.
In line with Atmanirbhar initiative of the Government, BSNL was directed to deploy Indian Core for 4G network. BSNL conducted a detailed Proof of Concept (PoC) of indigenous 4G technologies in its network. Indian entities viz. Tejas, C-DoT supported by M/s TCS for system integration have successfully completed majority of the standards requirements for a carrier class 4G mobile network in line with 3GPP specifications.
To promote manufacturing of Telecom and Networking products in the country, the Government has notified Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme on 24.02.2021 with financial outlay of Rs. 12,195 crores over scheme period. The scheme is targeted to boost domestic manufacturing of specified telecom and networking products which includes 4G/5G products. With the objective to build a strong ecosystem for 5G, the scheme guidelines have been amended to facilitate design-led manufacturing of 5G products in the country.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) hosted a 5G Hackathon in developing solutions to enhance the technology adoption and create new use cases using 5G technology capabilities. DoT has selected 30 top applicants who have been connected with Telecom Service Providers for demonstration of their products/applications in the 5G trials.
The Government has also approved the funding to carry out pilots of the 4G and E-Band products in rural areas under the pilot scheme of Universal Service Obligation Funding (USOF). The pilot projects are envisaged to provide mobile coverage and extend high speed connectivity in rural areas.
The Government also funded development of an indigenous 5G testbed by prominent academic and research institutions working in the space of the technology. It can be used for testing indigenous products, anywhere in the 5G chain, and also for enabling technology proliferation for Indian entities.
16-Dec-2020: Cabinet approves Auction of spectrum
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a proposal of the Department of Telecommunications to conduct spectrum auction through which spectrum will be assigned to the successful bidders for providing commercial mobile services.
The auction will be for spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz frequency bands. Spectrum will be offered for assignment for validity period of 20 years. A total of 2251.25 MHz is being offered with total valuation of Rs. 3,92,332.70 crore (at reserve price).
By winning right to use spectrum through the auction, incumbent telecom service providers will be able to augment their network capacity whereas new players will be able to start their services.
In the auction, bidders will have to comply with parameters/conditions e.g. block size in which bidders will be able to submit their bids, spectrum cap i.e. the maximum amount of spectrum that can be held by each bidder after the completion of the auction, roll-out obligations, payment terms etc.
Successful bidders may pay entire bid amount in one go (upfront) or may exercise an option to pay a certain amount (25% for spectrum won in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz bands or 50% for spectrum won in 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz bands) upfront and remaining amount in a maximum up to 16 equated annual instalments, after a moratorium of two years.
In addition to the bid amount, successful bidders will also have to pay 3% of the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) excluding wireline services as spectrum usage charges for the spectrum won through this auction.
Spectrum auction is a transparent process of spectrum assignment to successful bidders. Sufficient spectrum availability increases the quality of telecom services for the consumers.
It is relevant that the Telecom Sector today is a key infrastructure provider with strong linkages with economic growth, direct and indirect employment generation and expansion of Digital India. Hence the above decision of the Cabinet is expected to have a salutary impact on all the aspects.
2-Jun-2022: Direct-to-Mobile Broadcasting Conclave calls for action in national interest
A Conclave on 'Direct to Mobile and 5G Broadband - Convergence Roadmap for India' was organized by IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI), at Akashvani Rang Bhawan auditorium of Prasar Bharati in New Delhi on June 1, 2022.
TRAI Chairman Dr. PD Vaghela was the chief guest at the Conclave with I&B Secretary Apurva Chandra, Chairman of TSDSI NG Subramaniam, Member (Technology) at Department of Telecommunications AK Tiwari, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati, IIT Kanpur Director Prof Abhay Karandikar and DG of TSDSI Ms. Pamela Kumar. A video message of K. Rajaraman, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, was also played as part of the inaugural addresses. The conclave was also attended by eminent personalities from the fields of Telecom, Broadband technology and Broadcast industry.
The conclave demonstrated for the first time NextGen Broadcast technology on smart phones and other smart devices, apart from releasing a joint white paper on Direct to Mobile Broadcasting by IIT Kanpur, TSDSI and Prasar Bharati.
Delivering the inaugural address at the Conclave, TRAI Chairman Dr. PD Vaghela said that D2M & 5G Broadcast conclave presents the opportunity to bring together broadcast, mobile, broadband, media and all other related stakeholders. We all know that the digitization of services has resulted in the convergence of individual delivery & consumer devices. The drive to provide broader services is stimulating the broadcast & broadband operators to converge into each other. It is now possible for broadband services to offer broadcasting services and vice-versa.
Speaking from the consumer perspective, I&B Secretary Apurva Chandra said, “The convergence between Direct-to-Mobile and 5G Broadband will improve consumption of broadband and utilisation of spectrum in India. Almost everybody now is consuming video content through their mobiles, news can be seen on mobile through Apps, and even Prasar Bharati has its own NewsOnAir App which has a large consumer base. This convergence between Direct-to-Mobile and 5G Broadband will entail some changes in infrastructure and some regulatory changes.”
“The solution for satisfying the need for connectivity is to create a converged network. The convergence of broadcast, broadband & cellular networks addresses the problem of the coexistence of this network,” said K. Rajaraman, Secretary, Department of Telecommunication, in his video message.
IIT Kanpur Director Prof Abhay Karandikar, in his inaugural address, said that the increased video consumption, specially the streaming services, along with a host of new services like IoT, Group connections, emergency response communication systems, etc, have created a need & support for multi-cast, broadcast services in wireless networks.
Chairman of TSDSI NG Subramaniam said that the Cellular industry is adopting 5G at scale & the broadcast industry now has become a part of internet, WIFI & 5G. Together, these will drive the next wave of digital transformation across the world, in some way as connectivity forms the backbone of this new era.
DG of TSDSI Ms. Pamela Kumar said that this is the right time for broadcast broadband convergence to be launched in India. India should pioneer and pilot it because we have the biggest need, being the number one data consumer in mobile communication in the world.
In a one-on-one interaction with the CEO of Saankhya Labs Parag Naik, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati spoke on the importance of Direct to Mobile broadcasting for a country like India from the perspective of strategic and national interest.
The white paper released at the Conclave envisions realising Direct to Mobile Broadcasting capabilities in India by convergence of Direct to Mobile and 5G Broadband and makes recommendations for various stakeholders to act on to achieve the same.
The White Paper on Direct-to-Mobile Broadcasting can be downloaded from here - https://prasarbharati.gov.in/white-paper-on-direct-to-mobile-broadcasting/
23-Mar-2022: Optical Fibre Network Connectivity
BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country through an optimal mix of media (OFC/ Radio/ Satellite). As on 28.02.2022, total 5,67,941 km Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has been laid. Total 1,72,361 GPs (1,68,010 GPs on OFC and 4,351 GPs on satellite) have been made Service Ready in the country. As on 31.12.2021, total Rs. 27,582.7 Crore has been disbursed/utilised under BharatNet Project. The scope of BharatNet has been recently extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country.
BharatNet network is monitored through centralised Network Operating Centre (NOC) and its reports are being monitored on a regular basis. Further, for real-time monitoring, a Mobile App has been developed. This is a GIS based monitoring system for capturing monitoring data at field level with smartphones. Work of maintenance (i.e. O&M of incremental OFC network, First Line Maintenance of equipment and supporting infrastructure) is being carried out presently by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited (a SPV under MeitY, Government of India) in about 1.20 lakh GPs of the BharatNet Phase-I. For the Phase-II of BharatNet, the respective, Implementing Agencies are responsible for the maintenance of the network.
The infrastructure created under BharatNet project is a national asset, accessible on a non- discriminatory basis to the Service Providers, and the same can be utilized for provisioning of broadband/internet services through Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fibre, backhaul to mobile towers, etc. As of 28.02.2022, Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed in 1,04,288 GPs, 2,13,834 Fibre to the Home broadband connections are provided, 36,333 km Dark Fibre is leased and 4,038 Gbps bandwidth has been leased using BharatNet network.
With the above steps taken for maintenance and utilization of the BharatNet network, there has been an upward trend in the revenue collection, in the country.