Question : Roadmap for Rolling out 5G Services

(a) whether the Government proposes to finalize a road map to roll out 5G services for wireless communication, if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said road map is likely to be finalized;

(b) whether the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) are likely to participate in the auction of 5G Spectrum, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government proposes to allocate 5G spectrum to BSNL and MTNL at concessional rates, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the time by which the said allocation is likely to be done;

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide high speed network to BSNL and MTNL customers; and

(e) whether the Government is aware that private Telecom Service Providers are going/preparing to launch/introduce 5G services in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND
ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)


(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *254 FOR 10TH JULY, 2019 ON “ROADMAP FOR ROLLING OUT 5G SERVICES”.

(a) An inter-ministerial High Level Forum for 5G India 2020 was constituted with following terms of reference: -

(i) Vision, Mission and Goals for the 5G India 2020, and
(ii) Evaluate, approve roadmaps & action plans for 5G India 2020.
The High Level Forum submitted its report titled as “Making India 5G Ready” in August 2018. Based on the report, the Government is creating an enabling framework for launch of 5G services in India. The 5G Services are expected to be introduced gradually and advance to a full range of services as ecosystem and demand of services grows.
(b) to (d) At present, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) have requested Government for allotment of spectrum in 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands for providing 4G services in different service areas.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has provided their recommendations to department regarding auction of spectrum for providing access services using any technology including 5G. The modalities of auction will depend on the decisions of the Government on the recommendations of TRAI.
(e) For introduction of 5G services in the country, the Department of Telecommunications is engaged with Indian Telecom Service Providers, along with Original Equipment Manufacturers, start-ups, local vendors and academia for facilitating early 5G technology trials in India.