TRAI begins consultation on NCRTC’s spectrum needs

Telecom Regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Thursday issued a discussion paper on the spectrum needs of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for a train control system with regard to RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) corridors.

NCRTC had urged the telecom department for allotment of spectrum required for train control systems for RRTS, which is being implemented in eight rail corridors including three corridors of about 350 km along Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, Delhi-Gurugram-Alwar, Delhi-Panipat in the first phase.

Following this, DoT (Department of Telecom) approached TRAI seeking recommendations on administrative assignment of spectrum to NCRTC and on aspects like quantum, pricing, charging, and various terms and conditions for separate spectrum needs of the corporation in the 700 MHz band.

DoT also requested the TRAI for “any other recommendations deemed fit for the purpose, including assignment of the same spectrum for other RRTS, metro rail network pan India”.

It is in this context that TRAI has floated a consultation paper on the spectrum requirement of NCRTC for the train control system for RRTS corridors seeking inputs from stakeholders.

TRAI has fixed a deadline of July 7, 2022, for written comments on various issues raised in the discussion paper, while the date for counter comments is July 21. PTI