DoT nod to telcos’ applications for 5G trials sans Chinese tech

New Delhi, May 4

The Department of Telecom on Tuesday approved applications of telecom companies — Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and MTNL — for conducting 5G trials but none of them will be using technologies of Chinese entities.

The list of telecom gear makers approved for trials include Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, C-DOT and Reliance Jio’s indigenously developed technologies. This means Chinese gear makers will not be part of the 5G trials.

“The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) approved today permissions to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for conducting trials for use and applications of 5G technology. The applicants include Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea and MTNL,” DoT said.

Initially, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea had submitted proposals to carry out trials using technology of China’s Huawei. Later, they submitted applications wherein the trials will be done without technologies from Chinese vendors.

“These TSPs have tied up with original equipment manufacturers and technology providers which are Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung and C-DOT. In addition, Reliance Jio will also conduct trials using its own indigenous technology,” DoT said.

The latest move also indicates that the government may bar Chinese companies from participating in rolling out of the 5G services in the country.

The telecom firms have been given permission to use experimental spectrum in various, bands including the mid-band (3.2 GHz to 3.67 GHz), millimeter wave band (24.25 GHz to 28.5 GHz) and in sub-gigahertz band (700 GHz). Telecom operators will also be permitted to use their existing spectrum (800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2500 MHz) for conduct of the 5G trials. — PTI

Connecting India

• The list of telecom gear makers approved for trials include Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, C-DOT and Reliance Jio's indigenously developed technologies
• Telecom service providers which will conduct trials for use and applications of 5G technology include Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea and MTNL
• The latest move also indicates the government may bar Chinese companies from participating in rolling out of the 5G services in the country

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