5G Rollout Will Start Soon Across India As Govt Approves 5G Auction: Internet Speed Will Become 10-Times Faster!

The proposal to conduct a spectrum auction for 5G has now been given the green signal by the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. 

This auction will be conducted to decide which spectrum will be assigned to the successful bidders. 

Spectrum Auction To Be Conducted By July End 2022; Approved By PM

As per the release by the Press Information Bureau, a total of 72097.85 MHz of spectrum will be auctioned by the end of July, 2022. This spectrum will be valid for 20 years. 

The auction will reportedly be conducted for spectrum in various Low and High frequency bands. These include Low (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz), Mid (3300 MHz), and High (26 GHz) frequency bands.

The release states, “Spectrum is an integral and necessary part of the entire 5G ecosystem. The upcoming 5G services have the potential to create new age businesses, generate additional revenue for enterprises and provide employment arising from the deployment of innovative use-cases and technologies.”

Also, the 5G test bed setup in 8 top technology institutes of India has now amped up the launch of domestic 5G technology in India. Additionally, the PLI (Production-Linked Incentives) schemes for mobile handsets, telecom equipment, and the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission will also help develop a sustainable ecosystem for 5G services launch in India.

Cabinet Announces Options For Bidders

The Cabinet announced a number of progressive options for bidders to purchase spectrum through the upcoming spectrum auction in order to make doing business easier. 

Additionally, for the first time in history, successful bidders are not required to make an advance payment. As per the release, spectrum payments can be made in 20 equal annual instalments, payable in advance at the start of each year.

In addition, the Cabinet decided to double the number of classic microwave backhaul carriers in the existing 13, 15, 18, and 21 GHz frequency bands.

Telecom Service Providers will probably use the Mid and High band spectrum to roll out 5G technology-based services capable of providing speeds and capacities that are roughly 10 times better than what is now possible with 4G services.

The Cabinet also resolved to allow the creation and development of Private Captive Networks in order to promote a new generation of Industry 4.0 applications such as machine to machine communications, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) across automotive, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and other sectors.