COAI Urges Government To Prioritise 6 GHz Spectrum For 5G Network Expansion

The Cellular Operators Association of India said on Wednesday it anticipates the government will allocate the 6 GHz band spectrum for the expansion of the 5G network. It also expects the government to introduce a fair share data network usage policy, which would require large applications to pay for the substantial traffic they generate.

The telecom industry group, which includes Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd., Bharti Airtel Ltd., and Vodafone Idea Ltd. as members, unveiled its priority wishlist for the new Union government.

The body is urging the government to expand the number of testing laboratories to hasten the clearance of network equipment, thereby facilitating the swift deployment of telecom networks.

Quoting a report from the global telecom industry body GSMA, the Cellular Operators Association of India said India can save as much as $10 billion annually in 5G network deployment through the use of the 6 GHz spectrum.

"India has made a giant leap in 6G innovations through initiatives, such as Bharat 6G Alliance and Bharat 6G Vision which envisage India to be a leader in 6G innovations and deployment," COAI director general SP Kochhar said in a statement.

"To achieve this mission, the industry needs massive spectrum resources which can deliver the higher capacity required by 6G. Thus, we urge the government to strategically plan the 6 GHz resources for 6G as well."

The apex telecom industry body has also requested the government to look at the industry's long-standing issues about spectrum pricing and related revenue concerns.

He said that despite making huge investments for 4G and 5G rollout, Indian telecom service providers are among those with the lowest average revenue per user globally.

"In this context, we urge TRAI to revisit the spectrum pricing recommendation, in line with global norms," Kochhar said.

COAI has also requested the telecom regulator to do away with the minimum rollout obligations and give telecom firms the freedom to decide the rollout strategy upon acquiring the spectrum.

The industry body reiterated its demand to implement a fair share data network usage policy, wherein large traffic generators like Google, Facebook, Netflix etc., pay a share of their revenue with telecom firms who provide the infrastructure for their data requirements.

"We feel this is a clear case of exploitation as the massive investment and efforts of the TSPs are being siphoned off by these service providers."

COAI has estimated that the rise in data load on telecom networks and revenue earned by LTGs are to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore to the government exchequer.

It wants the government to address the issue of telecom network equipment theft expeditiously.

"We acknowledge that the government has taken several key measures to address this," Kochhar said. "This includes categorising equipment theft as a cognisable and non-bailable offence of causing damage to telecom infrastructure under the Telecommunications Act, 2023."

"In addition to implementing these, we request the Department of Telecommunications to urgently intervene in the matter."

COAI has also urged the government to write to all State Chief Secretaries to prioritise such complaints and ensure strict action on the same, coordinate with states for police protection for telecom infrastructure, especially in theft-prone areas and issue orders for blocking of websites selling active equipment.

(With Inputs From PTI)