New Delhi: The government has freed a set of spectrum in the 5 Ghz band from licensing for providing Wifi and partially 5G services by telecom companies. No permits would be required for the spectrum in the range of 5150-5250 megahertz band, 5250-5350 Mhz and 5725-5875 Mhz, according to an official notification.
“No licence shall be required under indoor and outdoor environment to establish, maintain, work, possess or deal in any wireless equipment for the purpose of low power wireless access systems, including radio local area networks operating in the frequency band 5150-5250 MHz; 5250-5350 MHz; 5470-5725 MHz; and 5725-5875 MHz,” the government notification said.
The move is seen to push setting up of Wifi services in the country and facilitate development of 5G ecosystem.
“The frequency range 5.1-5.3 Gigahertz and 5.7-5.8 Ghz is used for wifi services all over the world. It is a highly appreciable move from government to de-licence these bands. The frequency range between 5.3-5.7 Ghz can be used for 5G services,” SN Gupta, secretary general, APT foundation of India under International Telecommunication Union told PTI.
The 5 Ghz spectrum frequency can be used for short range communications like for coverage within an apartment or shopping centres. The government under Bharat Net project is planning to roll out one crore wifi hotspots in the country in rural area. Besides, it is in discussion with telecom operators to roll out wifi in urban centres too.
Freeing of spectrum 5 Ghz range will also facilitate indoor communications services and reduce load on telecom networks. Besides, the government is also planning to start field trials of 5G services to develop its ecosystem in the country.
In the notification, the government has clarified the power of device or equipment that should be used for accessing the free spectrum.
According to the notification devices that use wideband digital modulation techniques and provide a wide array of high data rate in mobile and fixed communications for individuals, businesses and institutions can be used in the de-licensed spectrum range. Gupta said that telecom companies can use the de-licensed spectrum range for free.
Hot(spot) data
One hotspot in India currently serves 37,500 people, while in the US, there is one for every 2,000 people, South Africa has one for every 3,500 people, and Nigeria has one for every 13,800 people. The entire world is moving towards an ideal of one hotspot for every 20 people, a sign of economic prosperity for developing and developed nations in the digital age.
It is estimated that the world will have over 340 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by the end of 2018. This grew exponentially from 50 million in 2014. Almost 70 per cent of them are in the Asia-Pacific region.
Can’t afford to miss
It is accepted worldwide that internet penetration is an important engine of economic development. A 10 per cent increase in the number of internet users can grow a country’s GDP by 1.4 per cent says the World Bank. The internet is expected to contribute $537 billion to India’s GDP in 2020, more than half of which is because of mobile apps (Broadband India Forum and ICRIER research).
The BIF/ICRIER research shows that a 10 per cent increase in the use of mobile apps can result in a 3.3 per cent increase in India’s GDP. There are 530 million smartphone users in this country, all hooked on watching videos on their mobiles.
A staggering 65-70 per cent of all mobile data consumption is from video streaming. This figure is 200 million more people than the entire population of the US, and this enormous volume is a magnificent opportunity that we cannot afford to miss.