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According to a senior government official on Wednesday, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked the industry regulator TRAI for advice on the sale of the E and V bands.
A K Tiwari, a member of the DoT responsible for technology, said during a Broadband India Forum event that the government would eventually put up for auction millimetre wave spectrum in the E and V bands, which has a frequency range of 37-42.5 megahertz.
We have submitted a reference for the sale of the E and V bands, but that is only for backhaul, according to Tiwari.
Data can be transmitted at extremely high speeds using radio waves in the E band, which is between 71 and 76 GHz and 81 to 86 GHz, and V band, which is between 57 and 64 GHz. The method of spectrum allotment in these bands has historically generated a lot of discussion in the industry and within government circles.
Concerning the auction of the E and V bands, telecom players and internet companies have been at odds.
While organisations representing internet companies have opposed the auction of spectrum in certain bands, telecom carriers have favoured it.
Even the telecom regulator TRAI has recommended allocating E and V without an auction in a report.
According to Tiwari, the country should see the introduction of 5G services in 45 to 50 days.
Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Adani Data Networks, and Vodafone Idea are rumoured to have paid the Department of Telecom (DoT) an upfront payment of about Rs. 17,876 crore for the spectrum they recently acquired in an auction. Bharti Airtel has paid Rs. 8,312.4 crore, which is equal to four annual instalments, whereas all telecom companies have chosen to pay in 20 annual instalments.
Reliance Jio has paid Adani Data Networks Rs. 18.94 crore, Vodafone Idea Rs. 1,679.98 crore, and Reliance Jio Rs. 7,864.78 crore.
