The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is soon going to release a consultation paper for E and V spectrum bands. The regulatory body was requested by the DoT (Department of Telecommunications) to give recommendations for E and V spectrum bands. While TRAI had given a light-touch licensing regime for the concerned spectrum bands in 2014, the situation has changed and there's a need for these bands by the telecom players. The E band spectrum is in the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands while the V band spectrum is in the 57-64 GHz and 64-71 GHz bands.
According to an ET report, the regulatory body is preparing to float a consultation paper to see how the E and V spectrum bands can be best utilised in India. As per the report, a certain quantum of the V-band spectrum could be delicensed or allotted without auctions. This would help the companies in using the V band to improve their indoor coverage.
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The DoT had told TRAI that only the delicensed spectrum could be used by the companies to improve indoor coverage. But apart from that, for any mobility or outside coverage, the companies need to acquire the spectrum through the auctions. The report mentioned that the telecom department has already suggested a certain quantum in the V band that can be delicensed for indoor coverage.
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The E-band spectrum can play a crucial part in the backhaul of the telecom networks in India. The telecom operators were given the option to acquire the E-band administratively through the DoT back in 2022. But none of the telcos went for the E-band as while they would get it administratively for now, they would have to pay a market-determined price for it later on to the government. Without knowing the price, it was a gamble for the telcos.
