5G ecosystem to be auction-ready by August 2019

She also said the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) is working on the recommendations of both the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the 5G task force set up by the government.

“Everybody has already said that since the ecosystem is not ready, it will be (ready) somewhere only after July-August next year,” she told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on the National Digital Communications Policy.

“We expect that we would have completed all the due procedures by then, so that you have the spectrum auction.”

The government expects to roll out 5G connectivity in the country in 2020. However, segments of the industry have raised concerns over feasibility of the target as the sector is going through financial stress.

Speaking at the seminar, the DoT Secretary reiterated that 5G connectivity would have an economic impact of over $1 trillion.

SpiceJet, Vistara have shown interest in in-flight connectivity: Telecom Secy

Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan on Monday said SpiceJet and Vistara have shown interest in providing in-flight connectivity on their aircraft.

She also said global service providers are interested in facilitating in-flight connectivity services in the country.

The Department of Telecommunication on Friday notified the rules for in-flight and maritime connectivity within the Indian territory which allows people to make voice calls and access internet services during air and maritime travel.

“Many service providers are interested, global ones are very interested. Among the airlines - SpiceJet and Vistara - are interested. They have approached (the government),” the telecom secretary told reporters here on Monday on the sidelines of a seminar on the National Digital Communications Policy.

“There are some airlines which have equipment installed on the aircraft to perform in-flight connectivity operations, so once they get the licence, they will be able to provide the service. Those who don’t will have to tie up with the service provider to have the equipment installed,” she added.

The official notification for “In-Flight and Maritime Connectivity” (IFMC) said that the IFMC service provider shall provide the operation of mobile communication services in aircraft at minimum height of 3,000 meters in Indian airspace to avoid interference with terrestrial mobile networks.

Internet services through Wi-Fi in aircraft shall be made available when electronic devices are permitted to be used only in airplane mode, the notification said.