Telcos seek financial support, spectrum, duty-free equipment

NEW DELHI: Mobile phone companies have demanded comprehensive support from the government, including financial aid, spectrum in certain bands and duty-free import of telecom equipment, in order to start field trials of fifth-generation (5G) technology.

In a recent letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), seen by ET, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said the government “must provide financial support” to the service providers as well as permissions, and fee for network equipment purchase should be waved off. The industry body represents Vodafone Idea, Bharti AirtelNSE 2.41 % and RelianceNSE 0.69 % Jio Infocomm, as well as equipment companies such as Cisco, Ciena, Huawei, Ericsson and Sterlite.