5G Rollout In India Could Start By August 15, 2022 Hints Government

Last Updated on June 16, 2022 by Anu Joy

5G rollout in India could commence sooner than expected, as the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is eager for the initial launch of 5G by August 15—Independence Day. As a result, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is urging the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to submit the recommendations related to 5G auctions before March.

5G Rollout Process To Be Expedited

Last year in May, the DoT had approved applications from major telecom operators such as Airtel, Jio, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and MTNL to conduct 5G trials in India. Later, reports said that the 5G spectrum auction will take place in 2022, with the actual rollout set for next year. Now that TRAI is requested to submit its recommendations earlier than expected, we can set our eyes on an expedited 5G rollout process.

Also Read: 5G to Roll Out in These Indian Cities By 2022

DoT, in its letter to TRAI, requested the organization to “expedite the matter”:

In reference to decisions/action points emanating from deliberations of a monitoring group, PMO has requested DoT to work towards the initial launch of 5G by August 15, 2022 and also explore the possibility of obtaining requisite recommendations from TRAI before March 2022. In view of the above, TRAI is requested to expedite the matter and provide the recommendations at the earliest.

Telecom Secretary K Rajaraman confirmed that “TRAI has indicated that they will send it (recommendations) by March”. He added that following the submission, it will take them a month to “make a decision around it”.

5G In India

Back in September, the Department of Telecom (DoT) had sent a reference to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for the auction of spectrum identified for 5G with respect to band plan, reserve price, block size, and the quantum of spectrum. It also shared the conditions of auctions in the 526-698 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz, and 24.25-28.5 GHz bands for 5G public as well as private 5G networks.

This year saw the launch of various 5G phones in India. And with the imminent 5G rollout, you can put your 5G smartphones to good use earlier than expected, if everything goes to plan.