INDIA'S SPECTRUM RETHINK: UNLOCKING THE DIGITAL FUTURE

India's surging data needs demand a smarter spectrum policy—refarming, fair auctions, and a mid-band strategy are key to sustaining its digital growth.

- LT GEN DR SP KOCHHAR

India's digital journey is nothing short of remarkable.

With over 365 million 5G subscribers and growing, the telcos have helped the nation emerge as a global leader in mobile connectivity. However, to keep pace with the swelling demand and rapid technological evolution, the telecom sector must optimise its spectrum strategy, the invisible backbone of all wireless communications. Let us delve into the critical components of this strategy: spectrum refarming, sharing frameworks and future spectrum auctions, illustrating how these pillars are vital to building a Digital India that is competitive, inclusive and future-ready.

THE SPECTRUM IMPERATIVE:

A GROWING DEMAND

Spectrum is the lifeline for the telcos and, by extension, India's digital economy. As more Indians come online and emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence or AI-driven networks, and autonomous systems, grow, wireless data consumption is soaring exponentially. Meeting this surging network load requires more spectrum, particularly mid-band frequencies that strike a balance between geographic coverage and network capacity.

Currently, India holds approximately 900 MHz of IMT spectrum (per Circle) for mobile services. However, to deliver world-class 5G performance and fulfil international IMT-2020 standards requirements, the telcos estimate that India needs to more than double the current amount, or an additional 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum would be required by 2030. The 6 GHz band could be the only viable solution for addressing this shortcoming.

REFARMING: UNLOCKING IDLE NATIONAL ASSETS