The requirement of extensive 5G trials is divided between telecom makers and telecommunications companies, especially as they waited for almost two years for approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The 4G-only telco Reliance Jio submitted the 5G spectrum allocation for field testing on its 5G Network in select metros to the Telecommunications Department (DoT).
Jio has requested the DoT to assign 800Mhz spectrum each in both the mmWave bands (26GHz and 24Ghz) as well as 100MHz in the 3.5Ghz band.
The development follows the announcement by Reliance Industries (RIL) that their telecommunications unit have developed an all-inclusive 5G solution using 100% domestic technology that will allow the introduction of high-speed networks for the next generation in India.
“This Made-in-India 5G solution will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year,” RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani had said in a speech at the company’s third annual general meeting.
The trials will allow India to join the club of countries with the ability to sell its own homegrown 5G technology in the world through Jio. The trials also would enable Jio to use global telecommunications equipment manufacturers including Huawei, ZTE, Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung.
The 5G systems have already begun by countries such as the USA, Great Britain, China, Australia, South Korea, Japan and other European countries. On the one hand, India, because of the unavailability of the use box and the lack of interests of private telecoms companies, such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, has postponed the proposed 5G spectrum auction until 2021.
Previously, Jio had obtained clearance from DoT to run 5G tests on a technology dependent basis. It had previously informed the DoT separately to clarify its technologies and applicable scenarios of usage. However, owing to the lack of clarification on Huawei, the trials are yet to be held.