New Delhi
The DoT has fixed a uniform fee of Rs 5,000 for the trial licence. However, its validity will range between 3 month and 2 years, depending on the purpose for which the trial is being conducted.
For 5G service trials, “quantum of spectrum as may be necessary and/or can be justified to demonstrate technological capabilities. For example, typical values may be up to 100 megahertz in 3.5 Ghz (gigahertz) band, 400 Mhz in 26 Ghz band and other potential millimetre bands,” the guidelines dated July 23 said. The government has plans to conduct spectrum auction for 5G services by the end of this year to enable the roll-out of commercial services using the technology in 2020.
Indian entities involved in research and development (R&D), manufacturing, telecom operators and academia for the purpose of R&D and experimentation can get licence for a period of “up to two years, renewable on case to case basis by WPC (wireless planning and coordination), subject to truncation to prevent interference to licensed operations”. The department has set a deadline for itself to grant permit for the trails between 4 and 8 weeks. After the expiry of the deadline, the applicant will be required to send a notice for trial if the DoT has not given any response.
DoT exploring BSNL-MTNL merger for their survival
The pressure of huge losses and competition has forced consolidation in the PSU telecom space as Department of Telecom is currently working on a proposal for merger of its two ailing PSUs - BSNL and MTNL - to revive the state-owned telecom firms. The BSNL-MTNL merger is “one of the many components” of the overall revival plan being worked out for the two corporations, a source said on Tuesday, adding that a final call on the matter will be taken by the Union Cabinet. The plan includes the MTNL being merged with the BSNL. The MTNL provides telephony services in Delhi and Mumbai, while BSNL is present in the rest of the circles. The move assumes significance as both have been making losses and have faced challenges in clearing staff salaries in the recent past.
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