The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on February 04, 2025, released Recommendations on 'the Frequency Spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands Identified for IMT.
It is stated that based on the comments received from stakeholders during the consultation process, and on its own analysis, TRAI has finalized Recommendations on 'the Frequency Spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands Identified for IMT'.
The Salient points of these recommendations are given below:
• The frequency spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz and 37.5-40 GHz frequency ranges should be put to auction in the forthcoming spectrum auction.
• Owing to the non-availability of the device ecosystem in 42.5-43.5 GHz frequency range, it will be prudent that the frequency range 42.5-43.5 GHz is not put to auction in the forthcoming spectrum auction. DoT may send a separate reference for seeking the Authority's recommendations for 42.5-43.5 GHz frequency range for IMT at an appropriate time.
• The Band plan n260 with TDD-based duplexing configuration should be adopted for 37-40 GHz frequency range.
• The frequency spectrum in the band n260 (37-40 GHz) should be auctioned with a block size of 100 MHz on ISA (Telecom Circle/ Metro) basis with a validity period of 20 years.
• The spectrum cap for the frequency band n260 (37-40 GHz) should be kept as 40% of the total spectrum put to auction and it should not be clubbed with 26 GHz band for the purpose of spectrum cap.
The availability of frequency spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz and 37.5-40 GHz frequency ranges to telecom service providers will enable setting up of high-capacity, low-latency communication networks for advanced use cases. TRAT has recommended that in addition to the access service providers, Internet service providers and Machine-to-Machine service providers should also be permitted to participate in the auction.
Recommendations Link - https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-02/Recommendations_04022025_0.pdf
[Press Release No. 8/2025]
