Covid-19: Allow free 5G bandwidth to boost wireline connectivity, says Bharti Infratel

New Delhi: Telecom companies have urged the government to allot necessary 5G bandwidth for free to augment wireline connectivity in the wake of a surge in demand for data and voice services amid the lockdown forced by Covid-19.

Bharti Infratel chairman Akhil Gupta said given the capacity constraints in 4G cellular networks “the government should provide the necessary and requisite bandwidth under 5G in the 3500 MHz free of cost to the four service providers”.

Speaking at a digital round-table discussion organised by ET Telecom, Gupta said such a move would augment high-bandwidth connectivity through fixed telephony at homes.

Bharti Infratel is a telecom infrastructure company of Bharti Enterprises, which also runs Bharti Airtel.