‘Govt must ensure early 5G rollout’

Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal Tuesday said the government must encourage 5G rollout in the country at the earliest by supporting the telecom sector in terms of pricing of spectrum at reasonable levels and lowering various levies.

“My recommendation is govt must encourage 5G coming in India … Rather than being late. Government can help in giving more spectrum at reasonable price,” Mittal told reporters here.

He said the telecom regulator Trai-recommended price is very high, as for 5G every operator will require over 100 megahertz.

“All equipment currently being deployed by Airtel are 5G ready. You cannot have a situation where you want to benefit Digital India and you tax the most. Just not get into a new dialogue… You see new DCC (Digital Communications Commission) policy. What you have committed do that,” Mittal said.