5G SPECTRUM AUCTION PLAN

Related Topic in KAS Prelims Syllabus:

Economy [Paper-II]: Infrastructure in Indian Economy, Telecommunication

Why in News?

Digital Communications Commission, the apex decision-making body at the telecom department approved Rs 5.22 lakh crore spectrum auction plan.

News in Detail

The decision marks no change in the reserve pricing of the spectrum finalised by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The auction will entail sale of over 8300 MHz of spectrum spread over all 22 telecom circles, the reserve price of which comes to Rs 5,22,850 crore.
The sale is likely to take place in March-April, 2020.
Of the spectrum to be put on sale, a lion’s share of 6050 MHz has been set aside for 5G spectrum that will enable services using cutting-edge next-generation mobile technology.
While there’s no spectrum price reduction, the DCC has decided to offer a two-year moratorium on payment for the airwaves across bands, besides relaxation in upfront payments.

What is 5G Technology?

5G is a set of technical ground rules that define the workings of a cellular network, including the radio frequencies used and how various components like computer chips and antennas handle radio signals and exchange data.
Since the first cellphones were demonstrated in the 1970s, engineers from multiple companies have convened to agree on new sets of specifications for cellular networks, which are designated a new technology generation every decade or so.
As the rules are established, technology, infrastructure and equipment is updated — providers install new equipment to transmit the signal and companies develop devices to take advantage of the new technology.
The standards for the usage of 5G are defined and driven by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
The 5G networks are powered by a new technology referred to as millimeter wave, or mmWave.
A 5G user will be able to seamlessly use 5G, 4G, and Wi-Fi since 5G will interwork both with 4G and Wi-Fi, allowing a user to simultaneously be connected to 5G New Radio (NR), LTE or Wi-Fi.

Key Features

Benefits

As per the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Committee on Digital Economic Policy, 5G technologies rollout will help in,
Increasing GDP
Creating Employment
Digitizing the economy
For India, 5G provides an opportunity for industry to reach out to global markets, and consumers to gain with the economies of scale.

Steering Committee on 5G

Central Government has constituted 5G steering committee chaired by Stanford University’s Professor Emeritus AJ Paulraj in September 2017 to suggest a road map for adoption of 5G.
The 9-member Steering Committee submitted its 5G high level forum report titled ‘Making India 5G Ready’ in August, 2018.

[Source: Business Standard, gemalto.com]