https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

TRAI Begins Consultation on Microwave Backhaul Spectrum; Seeks Industry Input on Demand, Charges, & Rules – Comments Open Till June 25

Backhaul links form a vital part of telecom infrastructure, connecting access networks (last-mile consumer connectivity) to core networks, and thereby to global systems.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday released a consultation paper seeking stakeholder views on the assignment of microwave spectrum across multiple bands, including 6 GHz (lower), 7 GHz, 13 GHz, 15 GHz, 18 GHz, 21 GHz, as well as E and V bands.

Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments by June 25, 2025, and counter-comments by July 9, 2025.

Focus on Backhaul Spectrum for Telecom Services
The consultation paper comes in response to a September 2024 reference from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which had requested TRAI’s recommendations on the assignment of backhaul spectrum in light of the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Backhaul links form a vital part of telecom infrastructure, connecting access networks (last-mile consumer connectivity) to core networks, and thereby to global systems.

TRAI’s Scope and Key Areas of Discussion
TRAI has sought inputs on

  • Demand assessment for the V-band (57–64 GHz and 66 GHz) and E-band (71–76 GHz and 81–86 GHz)
  • Scope of use, including commercial services
  • Spectrum assignment methodology: administrative, auction-based, or hybrid
  • Spectrum charges and validity
  • Rollout obligations and spectrum caps
  • Possibility of carrier aggregation in these bands

The regulator has framed over 50 detailed questions to gather feedback from industry players, experts, and other stakeholders.

Potential IMT Usage Could Affect 7 GHz, 15 GHz Bands
TRAI also flagged that parts of the 7 GHz and 15 GHz bands are being considered for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) during the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27).

In this context, it asked whether India should review current usage of these bands now, or wait for the WRC-27 outcome before taking a decision.

Context and Background
In 2022, DoT had originally asked TRAI to suggest a mechanism for assigning spectrum in the E & V bands, and Microwave Access (MWA) and Microwave Backbone (MWB) bands. However, with the enactment of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which classifies backhaul spectrum under administrative assignment, TRAI recommended revisiting the earlier reference.

Way Forward
The feedback from this consultation is expected to shape India’s policy framework on microwave spectrum usage for backhaul – a critical requirement for expanding 5G and future telecom networks.

TRAI’s recommendations will inform the government’s decisions on administrative allocation, spectrum pricing, and licensing conditions.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Haryana Jungle Safari
Haryana’s Mega Jungle Safari Project Moves Closer to Reality; Phase-I Design Finalised
SBK Singh IPS CP
Delhi Police Commissioner S B K Singh Bans Aerial Platforms from August 2 to 16 for Security Reasons
IPS-logo-resized_new
10 Senior Cops Get New Roles In Bihar Police; DG Jitendra Kumar Gets Additional Charge of B-SAP
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Jharkhand IFS Rajneesh Kumar Transferred Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings - Details Inside
Uttar Pradesh UP Government
17 Review Officers Transferred in Uttar Pradesh Secretariat Administration Reshuffle - Details Inside
IFS-forest-resized
6 IFS Officers Transferred in Odisha to Strengthen Environmental Administration, Jagayandatt Pati Made RCCF, Koraput Circle
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services IAS logo
4 Young IAS Officers Reshuffled in Uttarakhand, Rahul Anand Made Joint Magistrate, Dehradun
Odisha Government
Odisha Elevates Two Promising IFS Officers to Senior Time Scale, Strengthening Forest Leadership - Know More About Them
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Haryana Jungle Safari
Haryana’s Mega Jungle Safari Project Moves Closer to Reality; Phase-I Design Finalised
SBK Singh IPS CP
Delhi Police Commissioner S B K Singh Bans Aerial Platforms from August 2 to 16 for Security Reasons
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT