New Delhi: Telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday sought opinion from all the stakeholders on the assignment of the microwave spectrum in the lower 6GHz band, 7GHz, 15GHz, 18GHz, 21GHz bands, and E & V bands. The regulator also floated a consultation paper in this regard and it has fixed June 25, 2025 as deadline for comments and July 9 for counter comments from the stakeholders.In August 2022, the department of telecommunications (DoT) under ministry of telecom had requested the telecom regulator to provide recommendations for the assignment of spectrum in E&V bands and microwave access (MWA) and microwave backbone (MWB) spectrum in frequency bands of 6GHz, 7GHz, 13GHz, 15GHz, 18GHz and 21GHz.Meanwhile, the Telecommunication Act 2023 was enacted in December 2023. In light of the provisions of the Act in respect of radio backhaul for telecommunication services, the telecom watchdog via a letter in February 2024 conveyed that the telecom department might want to review its 2022 reference.“In response, the DoT, through a fresh reference letter dated September 09, 2024, while agreeing to the Trai’s observation that backhaul spectrum is a part of the First Schedule of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 for which the assignment method would be administrative, requested Trai to provide recommendations under Section 11(1)(a) of the Trai Act, 1997,” the regulator said.The aspects included demand assessment and scope of service/ usage for 57-64/ 66 GHz (V-band) and 71-76 GHz/ 81-86 GHz (E-band) and accordingly methodology of assignment of spectrum and associated terms and conditions. Other facets included spectrum charges and related terms and conditions such as spectrum cap, carrier aggregation for assignment of spectrum in the six bands for backhaul purposes of commercial telecom services.
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