DoT to revise Cabinet note on 5G: Govt favours airwaves for private enterprises

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is revising its proposal on allowing enterprises to build their own 5G private networks for captive needs. According to official sources, the revised proposal will have the provision that the government can directly allocate spectrum to enterprises to build such networks.

In its earlier proposal, sources said, the DoT had recommended that enterprises take spectrum either on lease from the telecom operators or get their networks built by them. Trai had recommended direct allocation to enterprises. However, since the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) — the highest policymaking body in the sector — had ruled this out, the DoT had not incorporated it in its draft Cabinet note. Some sections of the government were also of the view that the direct allocation route should be made available and the DoT was advised to consider the same.