The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has requested the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to expedite proposals on the spectrum, as it cited PMO’s plea to the department to work towards the launch of 5G by 15th August and possibly get the regulator’s views before 2nd March. The move receives importance as the industry is preparing for mega spectrum auctions that will open the way for next-generation 5G services.

In a letter dated February 22 to the TRAI secretary, the DoT said, “In reference to action points issuing from reviews of a monitoring group, the PMO has asked the DoT to work towards the initial launch of 5G by August 15, 2022, and explore the possibility of getting requisite recommendations from TRAI before March 2022.”

TRAI is in the process of completing its recommendations on modalities for auction of spectrum across different bands, including pricing, quantum and other conditions preparing the groundwork for upcoming 5G auctions. The department also urged the regulator to examine the need to review the channel plan in the 800 MHz bands and the number of spectrum blocks that can be made available for telecom services in the 800 MHz band.