Indian delegation at spectrum meet deviating from agreed position without consultation

Leading telecom operators have penned their third letter to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Communications, urgently requesting government intervention in the allocation of the 6 GHz frequency band for International Mobile Technologies (IMT).

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has expressed serious reservations in a series of letters, dated October 19, 2023, and December 06, 2023, addressed to key stakeholders. The letters emphasize the strategic importance of allocating the 6 GHz band for IMT and the need for adherence to the original Indian position during WRC-2023 discussions.

The COAI contends that discussions in the crucial last phase of WRC-2023 are veering towards designating the band for delicensed Wi-Fi/Non-Radio Use (NRU) purposes, contrary to the initially agreed-upon position.

Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General of COAI said that it has also been brought to our attention that the Indian interventions are guided by the over emphasis of perceived interference to ISRO’s satellite, without any technical study and an agreement as India’s position.

“The impractical power limits for IMT being suggested by the Indian delegation at WRC, even for Regions 1 and 2, would be determinantal to the development of 5G and 6G in this band, and we believe that was never India’s official position,” he said.

The association underscores that the decision regarding the 6 GHz band is not merely technical but also strategic, essential for India’s national connectivity goals. The allocation of this band for IMT is seen as pivotal for bolstering the nation’s digital infrastructure and ensuring that next-generation connectivity benefits reach every corner of the country.

“Failure to designate the 6 GHz band for IMT as initially intended is feared to not only harm India’s IMT interests but also impact the progress towards developing a worldwide ecosystem for IMT in this band,” Kochhar said.

The COAI believes that immediate intervention is necessary to prioritize national interests, uphold connectivity goals, and align with the vision of building a robust and inclusive digital future.

On Tuesday, Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) had also written to the government saying 6GHz band is also an essential to achieving the Bharat 6G Vision so that India can take its rightful place as a leading global supplier of advanced telecom technologies and solutions that are affordable and contribute to the global good.

CT Bureau