The Department of Telecommunication on May 4has given the green signal to the 5G technology and spectrum trials to the telecomservice providers in India.
DoT has granted permissionto Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio Infocomm, and MTNL to start the5G trials across India in different areas. The locations must cover the vicinityof rural, semi-urban, and urban areas, DoT said.
However, this time forthe 5G trials, there lies a twist as DoT has maintained a distance from Chinese gearmakers. Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, C-DOT, and Reliance Jio’s have been permittedfor the indigenously developed technology trials.
"The Departmentof Telecommunications (DoT) approved today permissions to Telecom ServiceProviders (TSPs) for conducting trials for use and applications of 5Gtechnology. The applicant TSPs include Bharti Airtel Ltd, Reliance JioInfocommLtd, Vodafone Idea Ltd, and MTNL," Telecom Department said in a statement.
It may be noted herethat initially Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea had submitted their applicationfor the 5G trials in India using Huawei, China’s technology. Later, thesetelecom service providers re-submitted their application stating “trials willbe done without Chinese technologies.”
According to the DoT,these aforementioned service providers have collaborated with original gearmanufacturers and technology providers which include Ericsson,Nokia, Samsung, and C-DOT. Interestingly, Reliance Jio Infocomm will conducttrials using ‘indigenously developed technology.’
It is also beinganticipated that the Indian government might ban Chinese companies’ participationin rolling out of the 5G services across the nation.
As of now, telecomservice providers will also be permitted to use their existing spectrum of800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2500MHz to carry out the trials of the latest 5Gtechnology.
In a statement DoTfurther added that the ‘duration of trials’ is 6 months including a 2 monthsperiod for procurement and setting up of the equipment.