Spectrum allocation critical to 5G: Jio President

NEW DELHI: Spectrum allocation will be the most critical element in adoption of fifth-generation or 5G mobile networks in India, Reliance Jio Infocomm president Mathew Oommen has said.

The comment comes in the wake of the government last month setting up a high-level panel with a corpus of Rs 500 crore for research and development to facilitate rolling out of 5G-based services by 2020.

“The government has set its focus on 5G. It is important for the industry, technology community and academia to work together and also participate (in auction) for getting the right amount of spectrum,” Oommen told ET. “We need building blocks, and the most critical element is the amount of spectrum allocation per carrier.”

Oommen, who heads global strategy, service development and networks at the new entrant, had recently said that the telco was focusing on 4G-based services but was also looking at 5G.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has sought views of the stakeholders on the quantum, timing and valuation of airwaves in 3300-3400 MHz and 3400-3600 MHz bands that could be auctioned in order to enable telecom operators to offer 5G services.

At least 100 MHz per operator would be required for 5G enablement, according to Oommen, who said deployment would be carried over frequencies in the 3.5 GHz or less than 6 GHz range. The Global Mobile Suppliers Association has said the 3300-4200 MHz and 4400-4990 MHz bands would be primary spectrum bands between 1GHz and 6 GHz for the introduction of 5G.

In the previous auction, the spectrum in 700 MHz band, considered efficient for rolling out 5G, besides 4G, remained unsold as the industry alleged exorbitant pricing. Asked whether Jio could consider purchase of airwaves in the premium 700 MHz band in the next auction, Oommen said it was too early to spell out a strategy. Jio, which launched commercial services in September 2016, has IP-based 5G-ready network.