DoT OKs interim allotment of E band spectrum to telcos for backhaul

Kolkata: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will provisionally allot E-band airwaves exclusively to mobile operators via the administrative route in circles where they will hold 5G spectrum for meeting the latter’s backhaul needs.

The telcos – who will need to pay a spectrum usage charge on these airwaves – will need to take part in an auction or any other method of allocation that the DoT decides later. Carriers will also need to pay the difference when the final price for such airwaves is decided by the government, though without interest.