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TRAI Launches Consultation on Microwave Spectrum Assignment

TRAI seeks stakeholder input to set administrative rules under the Telecommunication Act, 2023, proposing pay-per-use pricing for high-frequency backhaul bands.

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Overview

  • The paper covers assignment of microwave bands in lower 6 GHz, 7 GHz, 13 GHz, 15 GHz, 18 GHz, 21 GHz, E-Band and V-Band for backhaul and fixed wireless access.
  • Over 50 questions address demand assessment, service scope, allocation methodology, charges, validity and rollout obligations, with comments due by June 25 and counter-comments by July 9, 2025.
  • This follows the DoT’s 2022 request and a fresh reference in September 2024, prompted by the Telecommunication Act, 2023’s reclassification of backhaul spectrum for administrative assignment.
  • The consultation proposes replacing the current revenue-share Spectrum Usage Charges with a tower-to-tower pay-per-use model to align fees with actual network usage.
  • Feedback will guide spectrum earmarking for fixed wireless access, licence-exempt indoor V-Band use and carrier aggregation terms, shaping allocation rules for Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.