Regulator's 5G recommendations in 7-10 days:- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India which is popularly called as TRAI is chalking out the plans of rolling out 5G spectrum in the country this year. TRAI is expected to propose the prices and other modalities of 5G in the next 7-10 days as per the reports from a senior official. TRAI Secretary V Raghunandan told PTI about the spectrum reference and involvement of the exhaustive deliberations. The discussions are in the final stages and a clarity is expected to be attained very soon. TRAI's view on the pricing of the spectrum is quite crucial as there is scope for auctions and rollout of 5G in ultra-high-speed.

The telecom industry is expecting the recommendations from TRAI by the end of March. A detailed consultation paper was released by TRAI to discuss about the threadbare and the modalities of the auction across multiple bands including the pricing and other conditions. The groundwork for the auctions too is prepared for now. The comprehensive consultation paper of TRAI runs into 207 pages and has 74 questions. The reserve price of 5G spectrum, rollout obligations, spectrum cap, conditions for the participation in the auction will be discussed. Frequencies such as 526-698 MHz and millimetre band that is 24.25 - 28.5 GHz along with bands like 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, and 3300-3670 MHz are applicable. The last auction was held in March 2021 and close to 63 percent of the spectrum was not sold.