DoT Issues Guidelines For 5G Trials As Government Targets Enabling Rollout Of The Technology In 2020

Allocating up to 400 megahertz (MHz) of radio waves for 5G trials, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued guidelines for trial of the 5G technology across all the available spectrum bands, reports Gadgets Now.

According to the report, the DoT has fixed Rs 5,000 as a uniform fee for the trial licence. However, depending on the purpose for which the trial is being conducted, the validity of the license will range between 3 months and 2 years.

Regarding the 5G trials, the DoT guidelines dated 23 July said, "quantum of spectrum as may be necessary and/or can be justified to demonstrate technological capabilities. For example, typical values may be up to 100 megahertz in 3.5 Ghz (gigahertz) band, 400 Mhz in 26 Ghz band and other potential millimetre bands,"

The development comes as the government is reportedly planning to auction the 5G spectrum by the end of this year to enable the roll out of commercial services using the technology in 2020.

As per the report, Indian entities engaged in research and development (R&D), manufacturing, telecom operators and academia involved in R&D and experimentation can avail the licence for a period of “up to two years, renewable on case to case basis by WPC (wireless planning and coordination), subject to truncation to prevent interference to licensed operations".

The guidelines also enable Indian entities to apply for trial license for demonstration of the product in the country. However, the guidelines bar companies from offering any commercial service using the trial license.