Decision on high-frequency bands for broadband likely in 4-5 mths: DoT Secy

Telecom and satellite operators should look at using the same spectrum bands in coordination with each other and the decision on use of high-frequency range for broadband is likely to be taken in 4-5 months, a senior government official said.

Telecom secretary K Rajaraman, while speaking at ITU-APT Foundation of India event, said with more people in India joining the digital bandwagon, the data consumption will rise and in turn pressure on use of spectrum will also increase.

He said that it's very important to discuss the possibility of convergence with terrestrial networks (mobile networks) and non-terrestrial networks.

"I think there are options available, and therefore, we should be able to make some decisions over the next four or five months," Rajaraman said.

The Department of Telecom has sought recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on high-frequency bands, including 27.5-28.5 Gigahertz, E (71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz) and V (57-64 Ghz) bands.

Digi