TRAI Seeks Industry Input On Microwave Spectrum Allocation Following Telecom Act Overhaul

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has invited industry stakeholders to provide feedback on the allocation of microwave spectrum, following regulatory changes introduced under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The consultation aims to refine spectrum assignment policies, ensuring efficient utilization for backhaul and emerging telecom services.  

Spectrum Allocation And Regulatory Changes  
- TRAI’s consultation paper focuses on spectrum bands including 6GHz, 7GHz, 13GHz, 15GHz, 18GHz, 21GHz, and the E and V bands.  
- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) initially sought recommendations in 2022, but the enactment of the new telecom law in December 2023 prompted a reassessment of spectrum allocation methods.  
- Under the revised framework, backhaul spectrum now falls under administrative allocation rather than auction-based distribution.  

Industry Considerations And Stakeholder Participation  
- TRAI has requested input on demand assessment and usage possibilities for the V-band (57–66 GHz) and E-band (71–76 GHz / 81–86 GHz).  
- The consultation will explore whether these bands should be used for access, backhaul, or integrated access-backhaul services.  
- Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their views by June 25, with counter-comments accepted until July 9.  

Future Implications And Market Impact  
- The review will determine how spectrum in various microwave bands can be assigned for commercial backhaul, including pricing, spectrum caps, and carrier aggregation.  
- TRAI will assess whether the 7GHz and 15GHz bands, currently used for backhaul, should be reconsidered for mobile access following the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027.  
- The feasibility of permitting low-power indoor device-to-device communication in the V-band on a license-exempt basis is also under evaluation.  

The consultation process is expected to shape India’s telecom infrastructure, ensuring optimal spectrum utilization while addressing industry concerns.  

Sources: Moneycontrol, Economic Times, Livemint.