Telecom operators ask Centre for clear 5G roll-out road map

India’s telecom operators on Wednesday pressed the government to decide when it plans to auction fifth-generation (5G) spectrum so that they have clarity on when to start field trials to test the technology and roll out services.

In a meeting with telecom department officials to discuss the 5G roadmap, the telcos sought globally harmonised bands to be identified for 5G services in the country to enhance interoperability between networks.

They also asked the department’s wireless planning cell to update the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP)-2018 with new spectrum bands such as 26GHz (gigahertz) that have been identified by the International Telecom Union for 5G deployment.