COAI asks DoT to back 6 GHz band for 5G, 6G at key APAC telecom meet
DoT) to bat for deploying the upper portion of the 6 GHz spectrum band for 5G services in India at a key meeting of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) that got underway today in Brisbane. They have also reiterated that any move to delicence this spectrum band for WiFi services will hinder the growth of 5G services in India, and 6G, going forward.
A top-level DoT team will participate in the meeting of the APG, a group within the APT, to align all major Region 3 wireless/spectrum matters, such as the 6 GHz band deployment for 5G, 5G + and 6G services, and present a common proposal at the World Radio Communications-2023 conference in Dubai in December where a final decision will be taken. The full 6 GHz spectrum band, which offers internet speeds up to 10 Gbps, ranges from 5925-to-7125 MHz (or 1200 units).
The upper part of the band ranges from 6425-7125 MHz. “The DoT’s delegation attending APG-2023 may kindly communicate India’s support for 6425-7125 MHz for IMT (read: 5G services) and defend that position, and (going forward), DoT may also take a further decision on inclusion of the lower part of the 6 GHz band (read: 5925-6425 MHz) for IMT,” the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said in a letter, dated August 10, to DoT secretary Apurva Chandra.
Such a decision, it added, would create certainty around critical spectrum required for 5G and clear the path for auction of this spectrum. The COAI represents India’s top telcos, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
The APT, in turn, is an inter-governmental body to drive ICT policy and regulatory coordination in the Asia-Pacific. The COAI’s latest letter to DoT comes amid an ongoing slugfest between telcos and tech companies to corner the 6 GHz
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