5G Spectrum Auction in India to be Held in 2022; Commercial Rollout Set for 2022-23
Rolling out of 5G mobile services in India coming soon
The 5G auction in 2022 will enable the commercial rollout of 5G mobile services, which is expected to happen somewhere in between this year and 2023 by private telecom service providers such as Jio, Vodafone Idea (Vi), Airtel, among others. Currently these telcos are: conducting 5G trials in India and will need to be licensed before deploying 5G networks in India.
Sitharaman further suggests that 5G in India will give way to growth and more jobs for people.
It has also been revealed that the government will introduce design-driven Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the production of local 5G equipment, thereby promoting the “Make in India” initiative. As a reminder: last year the PLI scheme was approved by the government, which also includes the telecom equipment.
The Government of India is also striving to make broadband and mobile services easily accessible at affordable prices to rural and remote areas. For this it will Allow 5% of total collections under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
“This will promote R&D and commercialization of technologies and solutions. Our mission is that all villages and their residents should have the same access to e-services, communication facilities and digital resources as urban areas and their residents,Sitharaman said while speaking about the implementation of fiber optics and 5G services in India.
In addition, the cabinet is committed to the introduction of fiber optics in villages and other remote areas, for which the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in 2022-23. It is expected to be completed in 2025. An exact timeline for the commencement of the 5G spectrum auctions remains unknown. But we hope there is no further delay and that we can finally use 5G in India soon!
