Govt Is Gearing Up For The 5G Launch Around This Time Of The Year

The Indian government is preparing for a massive auction of 5G launch in the second half of this year. With a rollout expected later this year or early next. However, due to disruptions in network gear availability in India in the coming weeks. This plan may encounter a speed breaker. This is because the DoT (Department of Telecommunications) wants all imported network gear. It was testing at local labs after July 1, 2022, as part of the Mandatory Testing & Certification of Telecom Equipment regime.

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This move has elicited a mixed reaction. Senior industry executives believe that the Department of Transportation’s insistence on in-country testing of network equipment by local labs recognized by its technical arm and Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) will cause a disruption in the timely supply of equipment to telecom networks.

Individually, network distributors have petitioned the government to exempt 2G network equipment from the required local testing drill. “We’ve informed the government that, while 2G technology is being phased out in many countries. It is still requiring in India to support nearly 280 million 2G users. It should be exempting from the MTCTE regime to ensure delivery of 2G services without interruption the executive said.

5G Launch Rollout Delayed By DoT

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Another industry executive stated that deferring the local testing implementation date to January 1, 2023 is essential to ensuring no disruptions to ongoing and upcoming 4G/5G network rollouts. Some telecom networks appear to have lobbied the government to extend the deadline to July 1, 2023.

According to the government, the 5G auction will take place in June-July. The first 5G call will be taking place in August-September. Any implementation of the July 1, 2022 local testing deadline will almost certainly interfere with a slew of pending 4G expansions.

According to industry experts, any large-scale disruption in 4G equipment supplies would automatically disrupt 5G rollouts. The government must recognise that 5G will rely on existing 4G networks. As a result, operators will invest in their 4G networks alongside 5G technology. So, if the expansion of 4G networks will disrupt, it will have a direct impact on the proposed 5G launches in India. The details were out by a senior telco executive.

Also read: 5G Network Trials Gets Extention: 5G Spectrum Auction Delayed Till 2022