DoT approves telcos’ applications for 5G trials; no Chinese tech for trials

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Tuesday allowed the three private telcos, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Vi (formerly Vodafone Idea) as well as state-run telco Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) to start 5G trials in the country. The initial duration of the trial will be 6 months, which includes 2 months for procurement and setting up of equipment.

“The trials are important because they reduce the time gap between 5G spectrum auction and roll out. On earlier occasions, trials happened after auctions. Now we are gaining time,” DoT Secretary Anshu Prakash told The Indian Express. The significance of 5G, Prakash said, is mostly in the application of technology and the government would want it to be put to use in telemedicine, education, agriculture, and public safety, among others.