Trai proposes microwave backhaul spectrum overhaul

THE TELECOM REGULATORY Authority of India (Trai) on Wednesday has proposed to simplify the allocation and pricing of microwave backhaul spectrum across traditional and high-capacity bands.

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The regulator has suggested that microwave spectrum in the 6 GHz (lower), 7 GHZ, 13 GHz, 15 GHz, 18 GHz, 21 GHz, E-band and V-band be assigned administratively, as mandated by the Telecommunications Act, 2023, rather than through auctions. Backhaul spectrum is the bandwidth connecting mobile towers to telecom cores which helps in handling surging data traffic.