Global telecom industry body GSMA seeks 5G spectrum allocation in 6 GHz band in India

GSMA urges India to allocate 5G spectrum in 6 GHz band to benefit from capacity & lower cost of network rollout. Several countries are pushing for the same. India's digital ambitions may be impacted if it does not join the consensus. 6 GHz band essential for India to become a leading global supplier of advanced telecom technologies.

Allocation of 5G spectrum under the 6 GHz band for mobile services will be beneficial for India as several countries are pushing for allocating telecom spectrum in the same range, according to global telecom industry body GSMA.

In a letter to union Telecom Minister Aswhini Vaishnaw, GSMA Director General Mats Granryd said the spectrum in the 6 GHz band is the only large contiguous block of radiowaves left in the mid-frequency range, and India will also benefit from its capacity.

The telecom industry said the cost of network rollout in this frequency will be lower as compared to the next set of suitable spectrum for 5G available in higher frequency band.

"India would also considerably benefit from this additional capacity given India's accelerated digital adoption and leadership in the digital space, including in 5G. This digital leadership requires India to match the spectrum roadmaps of the leading 5G nations, which 6 GHz capacity will support," Mr. Granryd said in the letter dated December 12.

GSMA in another letter to Mr. Vaishnaw last month had said that the 6 GHz band is the only large contiguous block of mid-band spectrum that can deliver affordable 5G services.

Some companies who provide WiFi services have demanded that the spectrum in the 6 Ghz band should be allocated for WiFi services.

"Unfortunately, the position taken by the Indian administration so far at the WRC-23 has been at variance with the larger consensus being developed and we are concerned that this may have a long-term impact on India's laudable digital ambitions," Mr. Granryd said.