DoT plans to refarm 1100 MHZ spectrum from various ministries, departments

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is working on an ambitious plan to refarm or resuse more than 1100 MHZ spectrum from various ministries and departments and reallocating it to telecom operators for 5G and 6G services, a move that could garner over Rs 5 lakh crore for the exchequer, officials told ET.

DoT has identified spectrum across 10 bands which will be freed in the coming few years and put up for auction for telecom operators.

“DoT has shared the proposal for consideration to the committee of secretaries (CoS) and clarity will emerge in a few months about how much spectrum can be freed for mobility use,” said an official privy to the details.

Spectrum across bands including mid-band and some portion of 6 GHz is currently being utilised by the ministries of space, defence, information and broadcasting, railways and housing and urban affairs.

Mid-band ranges from 1000 MHz (1 GHz)-6000 MHz (6 GHz), with 3500 MHz-6000 MHz best suited for 4G and 5G services.

While the telecom department has finalised the bands and quantum that can be refarmed, it has yet to give any valuation as some bands will be auctioned for the first time such as 6 GHz airwaves, while others were auctioned a few years ago, requiring the need for new price discovery through auction.

Officials estimate the value of the airwaves at over Rs5 lakh crore based on the winning bids for other bands in previous auctions.

“Once the CoS (Committee of Secretaries) takes a call, DoT will get the ball rolling for auctioning this spectrum in coming years,” a second official said.

The DoT believes there is a need to provide more airwaves, especially in mid-band and some premium lower bands, for upgrading 5G technology and introducing 6G, which is expected to be launched by 2030. Most of the spectrum is currently being utilised by legacy users such as the armed forces and the space department, which may be shifted to other frequencies.

Earlier this year, the Union cabinet approved setting up of a CoS to work on spectrum refarming. The panel comprises various departmental secretaries and senior DoT officers. Chairman of the CoS was also allowed to take assistance from external experts if required.

Experts believe in the coming few years, spectrum demand in India will accelerate in line with wider adoption of 5G technology. Anticipating this, telcos have sought more mid-band spectrum for 5G and 6G uses.

The industry has estimated a requirement of about 2,000 MHz in the mid-band range in the next few years, up from 400 MHz available currently. This has necessitated the need for refarming to ensure spectrum supply.

While the DoT is yet to take a call on the entire 6 GHz band, comprising 1200 MHz spectrum, it decided to use the upper 6 GHz band for mobility use. The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) last year opened 100 MHz spectrum in 6 GHz band for mobility services worldwide while the upper 6 GHz band has been identified for IMT (mobility services) in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Indian telcos want the entire 6 GHz band to be reserved for mobility services, while the technology industry wants delicensing of some of the airwaves for Wi-Fi use.