DoT stuck on allotting 5G trial airwaves in absence of clarity on Huawei and ZTE

NEW DELHI: The telecom department is caught in a bind, in terms of taking a call on allotting 5G airwaves for trial. Amid telcos’ clamour for bandwidth for 5G trials, officials say they can’t allot any airwaves till India takes a formal stance on the participation of China’s Huawei and ZTE in 5G deployments.
“It is great that an Indian operator has developed 5G technology indigenously. Jio had previously applied twice for airwaves for 5G trials, one was with a partner and one for all by itself,” a senior government official told ET. However, the official added that the committee screening the applications will take a final call on allotment of airwaves.
Officials say all telcos, including Jio, have applied for 5G spectrum for trials and everyone will be allotted. But “only once the government formally takes a stance on Huawei and ZTE”.