No need for Pvt 5G networks in India: COAI

Given India's widespread telecom penetration, the need for enterprises to establish private 5G networks is virtually nonexistent, telecom operators reiterated on Thursday.

- SUBHAYAN CHAKRABORTY

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, said Captive Private Networks or Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPNs), which are primarily required in geographically vast and sparsely populated regions where public telecom connectivity is limited or nonexistent, do not really apply in the Indian ecosystem.

The statement comes days after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) brought out its latest recommendations on network authorisations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. TRAI has recommended a separate authorisation framework for CNPN providers under Section 3 of the Act, with the scope of establishing, maintaining, operating and expanding the networks for enterprises.