COAI urges government to free up entire 6 GHz to enhance 5G services

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Awareness in IT and computers

Context:

Opening the complete 6 GHz band for international mobile telecommunications (IMT) for 5G communications can help improve the quality of coverage, enhancing the experience of users, said Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

Details:

6 GHz band can enable better spectrum efficiency and allows the broadband service providers to provide more service to customers while reducing their operating costs.
The insufficient spectrum in mid-bands will imply extreme densification to meet mobile broadband demand.
Extreme densification imposes unsustainably high costs (ultimately borne by users), increased carbon footprint, and may not even be feasible due to interference or site availability challenges.
Reasons for their demand includes:
- Mobile data is a key source of internet access in India. So, WiFi is not required much for Indian population.
- The wireline broadband penetration is only 3 per cent of the subscriptions.
- For satellite communications also, the industry is recommending promotion of the use of Ku (12 GHz to 18 Ghz)/ Ka (26.5 GHz to 40 GHz) and other higher frequency band.
- 6 GHz band is crucial for enhancing the performance of 5G networks, enabling higher data speeds, increased capacity, and improved connectivity.

International Mobile Telecommunications- Advanced (ITM-A):

International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced Standard) are the requirements (standerds) issued by the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2008 for what is marketed as 4G mobile phone and Internet access service.
International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced) systems are mobile systems that include the new capabilities of IMT that go beyond those of IMT-2000.
- Such systems provide access to a wide range of telecommunication services including advanced mobile services, supported by mobile and fixed networks, which are increasingly packet-based.
- IMT-Advanced systems support low to high mobility applications and a wide range of data rates in accordance with user and service demands in multiple user environments.
- IMT Advanced also has capabilities for high quality multimedia applications within a wide range of services and platforms, providing a significant improvement in performance and quality of service.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI):

Founder in 1995.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) is an Indian non-governmental trade association and advocacy group focused mainly on telecommunications industry.
COAI was constituted in 1995 as a registered, non-governmental society.
As of 2017, COAI has been (jointly) organizing the India Mobile Congress with the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India.
Headquarters: New Delhi