View: Spectrum standoff can’t delay auctions

Cellular service providers are contesting a demand by a clutch of companies that they be allotted airwaves to build captive networks. Telecom companies argue they have the expertise to roll out the networks enterprises need, and blocking frequency for industry would eat into almost 40% of the revenue that they are expecting from 5G services. This could affect pricing and utilisation of spectrum, and delay the rollout of nationwide 5G networks. India is already behind in this respect, and a deterioration in the business case for public 5G networks could seriously affect the country’s ambitions for its digital economy. The argument for sequestering spectrum for captive networks rests on the speed of rollout.