Government-backed 5G field trials hit policy snag even before starting

NEW DELHI: Government-backed field trials of fifth generation cellular mobile communications technology appear to have hit a snag even before their start.
The wireless planning wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has said that free spectrum for 5G trials can be allocated only for 90 days, citing current rules. But mobile phone operators and equipment vendors have said that at least a year is needed to run complicated field trials.
A senior government official said that current rules impose a time limit of 90 days and that no decision has been taken yet on whether 5G airwaves for trial purposes could be allocated for a year.