ISRO spectrum demand may hit 5G rollout in India: Industry experts

Spectrum demand of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the telecom ministry’s proposed conditions to roll out mobile services in 26 gigahertz band are likely to make deployment of 5G services in the country challenging, according to industry experts.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU), under the United Nations (UN), will hold a conference next month in Egypt to finalise use of 26 GHz band for 5G services. It will start deliberation for the same this month.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has accepted the demand of ISRO to use 26 Ghz band, in which 5G ecosystem has been developed, primarily for satellite service. Consequently, the department has submitted this proposal for consideration to the ITU, which sets global benchmark for wireless services.