'NEW SPECTRUM BANDS WILL ENHANCE 5G CONSUMER EXPERIENCE

On the first anniversary of 5G’s rollout in India, NITIN BANSAL, MD, India & Head-Networks, Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, Ericsson, in a chat with ASHISH SINHA of BW Businessworld, talks about the 5G services and their growing usage in the coming years. Excerpt

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What are the spectrum bands that are essential for the successful implementation of 5G technology in India? How will these spectrum bands enrich the 5G consumer experience? 

India has set a global benchmark with its robust 5G deployment and remarkable build-out speed. In just one year of its launch, 5G connectivity has reached over 6,258 towns and cities in India. The two major Indian telecom operators aim to complete the nationwide rollout over the coming few months, making 5G services accessible throughout India by 2024.

While Indian telecom operators are already leveraging a diverse spectrum portfolio for 5G services, the successful implementation of 5G in India hinges on securing a significant amount of spectrum. It is imperative for operators to acquire spectrum bands ranging from 600 MHz (megahertz) to above 37 GHz (gigahertz), which are expected to be available in the upcoming 5G spectrum auction. Additionally, the deployment of additional FR2 bands (mmWave) and the allocation of the 6 GHz band are of paramount importance.

Furthermore, India’s advantage lies in the availability of low and mid-band frequencies, which are valuable options for 5G implementation. Specifically, the mid-band spectrum (1 GHz - 6 GHz) is well-suited for efficiently transmitting substantial data over significant distances. Telecom companies must consider these spectrum options carefully to ensure a successful 5G implementation in India.