Domestic telecom industry set to rollout one million WiFi Hotspots by December 2019

The domestic Telecom industry is set to rollout one million WiFi hotspots in the country by December 2019, according to Manoj Sinha Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications and Minister of State for Railways. This will be another step towards the digital empowerment of the nation. Bharat Wi-Fi, a country-wide common inter-operable platform of one million Wi-Fi Hotspots, owned and operated by Telecom Service Providers, Internet Service Providers and Virtual Network Operators will be rolled out across the country. This initiative allows consumers to access Wi-Fi Hotspots of any of the partnering operators. He made these comments at the latest India Mobile Congress (IMC).

The National Frequency Allocation Plan 2018 (NFAP) was unveiled during the inauguration of the event presenting a pioneering roadmap for the Indian digital communications industry. The NFAP released a quantum of 605 MHz license exempt spectrum in 5GHz band for Wireless Access Services and Radio Local Area Networks in outdoor, to meet the ever-growing appetite for data (from a current figure of 50 MHz since 2007). The NFAP also offered over 30 license exempt bands for Short Range Devices (SRDs), Ultra-Wideband Devices (UWDs) and additional spectrum for M2M services, creating opportunities for the public to enjoy benefits from technologies and enabling the industry to build domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

India has signalled its spectrum plans for 5G services aspiring to adopt the next generation technology as a leading market. In a major policy initiative, which will give impetus to small and medium entrepreneurship in Telecom Sector, DoT decided to deduct payments for resources taken by Virtual Network Operators (VNOs) from telecom service providers, thereby reducing levies payable by VNOs. This avoids double taxation at various stages.