5G spectrum auction should be held after 2-3 years: PHDCCI

Auction of 5G spectrum should be taken up after 2-3 years, which will help the Government get proper valuations of the 5G airwaves, industry body PHDCCI said on Thursday.

“While auctions should be held at the earliest, a lot of things need to be kept in mind. We need to look at whether 4G itself has been used to full capacity, and need to keep in mind that 5G standards haven’t been set,” PHDCCI Chairman (Telecom Committee) Sandeep Aggarwal said.

He added 5G spectrum may continue to be given since AGR and SUC will anyway be payable by the operators, and noted that further discussions on this with the stakeholders will be held during TEMA-PHDCCI’s ‘Telecom Summit 2020’. Aggarwal also emphasised that India should buy 5G technology and ensure local manufacturing through licensing as it would enable domestic telecom equipment manufacturing companies to develop and flourish.