The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued suggestions for the task of a further 5 MHz of paired spectrum within the premium 700 MHz band to Indian Railways. This spectrum, supposed for enhancing security and safety programs alongside railway tracks, will likely be allotted for captive use. The choice follows a request from the Division of Telecommunications (DoT) and is a part of the continued efforts to modernise railway communications.
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TRAI’s Spectrum Allocation for Railway Security
“Along with the already assigned 5 MHz (paired) frequency spectrum within the 700 MHz frequency band, a further 5 MHz (paired) frequency spectrum within the 700 MHz frequency band must be assigned to Indian Railways for its security and safety purposes alongside the railway tracks for captive use,” TRAI stated on Friday in its advice on the “Task of Further Spectrum to Indian Railways for its Security and Safety Purposes”.
Spectrum in 700 MHz Band
The DoT has already allotted 5 MHz of spectrum within the 700 MHz band to Indian Railways in 2021. Telecom indicators transmitted within the 700 MHz band can cowl a considerably massive space and are thought of essential for 5G networks. The value of spectrum per megahertz (MHz) within the 700 MHz band was set at Rs 3,927 crore for industrial use.
In its suggestions, TRAI means that the brand new spectrum be harmonised with the beforehand assigned 5 MHz block, making a contiguous 10 MHz band for Indian Railways. Moreover, it proposes the allocation of a 5 MHz block to NCRTC, different RRTS, and Metro rail networks.
“Spectrum harmonisation must be carried out to assign a contiguous block of 10 MHz of frequency spectrum within the 700 MHz band to Indian Railways and an adjoining 5 MHz block to NCRTC/ different RRTS/ Metro rail networks. On the similar time, it must be ensured that minimal disturbance happens to the working networks,” TRAI stated.
Subject Trials for RAN Sharing
TRAI additionally emphasised the necessity for a area trial to evaluate the feasibility of Radio Entry Community (RAN) sharing between Indian Railways, NCRTC, and different transport networks. If profitable, this might result in environment friendly spectrum utilisation in overlapping areas. The result of this trial would inform additional choices on RAN sharing by a multi-operator core community (MOCN).
Relating to spectrum expenses, TRAI beneficial that charges be levied based mostly on the prevailing components for Royalty Fees and License Charges for captive use, as prescribed by DoT.
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Spectrum Utilization Fees
“The authority recommends that spectrum expenses for Indian Railways/NCRTC/ different RRTS/Metro rail networks must be levied based mostly on the components for royalty expenses and licence charges for captive use, as prescribed by DoT,” the advice stated.
“When Railways implements its LTE community and Kavach over LTE, it shall give up frequencies within the 146-174 MHz presently getting used for driver- guard and driver/ guard to station communication in addition to within the 400 MHz band getting used for Kavach and consolidate all its necessities in 700 MHz band supplied satisfactory bandwidth is on the market,” TRAI advice stated.
Telcos Assigned Spectrum in 700 MHz
The vacant spectrum within the 700 MHz band is adjoining to the frequency band allotted to Reliance Jio within the auctions held in 2022. At the moment, Jio (10 MHz) and BSNL (10 MHz reserved) are the one operators holding spectrum within the 700 MHz band.
