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Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DoT begins exercise to assess fresh spectrum demand for 5G private networks
The telecom department has started the process to reassess fresh spectrum demand for captive non-public networks , also known as 5G private networks , according to an official memorandum. This is the second such exercise by the Department of Telecom after issuing a provision for 5G private networks in June 2022. "The Department has decided to assess a fresh demand for spectrum in various prospective frequency bands and carry out a demand survey, through the Saral Sanchar portal to identify the prospective frequency bands for the direct assignment of spectrum for CNPN (captive non-public network) based services," the memorandum dated June 30 said. CNPN providers can set up a network by leasing out spectrum allocated to telecom operators or even by directly taking it from the DoT. Telecom operators have opposed the direct allocation of spectrum to enterprises or entities that want to set up 5G private networks. Live Events The DoT said that certain frequency bands were initially proposed for direct assignment of spectrum to CNPN licensees. However, it was observed that there was a lack of a device ecosystem in the frequency band identified for them. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had recommended spectrum in the frequency range of 3700-3800 MHz, 4800-4990 MHz and 28.5-29.5 MHz for CNPN. The department said it has observed during a recent analysis that the device ecosystem for CNPN is mostly available in IMT bands , and 5G technology has also considerably advanced with different use cases. The memorandum said system integrators are keenly interested in establishing CNPN-based networks. The DoT has invited comments from enterprises that have a net worth of more than Rs 100 crore and are willing to set up CNPN by obtaining spectrum directly from the department, and system integrators interested in establishing CNPN networks for enterprises by July 31. Tidal Wave Technologies CEO Ankit Dixit said enterprise and industrial adoption of private 5G networks remains at a nascent stage, with active deployments to date remaining in low single digits. "This slower pace can be attributed to factors, such as the high cost of spectrum, slow responsiveness to enterprise-specific needs, and expectations of free trials or proof-of-concepts," Dixit said. Private 5G networks have the potential to transform these industries through secure, high-performance connectivity, and there is a need to strengthen policy frameworks, ease access to spectrum, and foster closer collaboration across the ecosystem for realising its potential, he added. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Mint
30-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
DoT begins fresh demand study for direct spectrum for private 5G networks
In what could be a setback for telecom operators, the department of telecommunications (DoT) on Monday initiated a fresh demand survey to assess interest in assigning 5G spectrum directly to enterprises for setting up private networks. If approved, the move could allow large firms to bypass telecom service providers for high-speed, automated connectivity within their campuses and factories. The demand study has also been undertaken by DoT to identify the prospective frequency bands for the direct assignment of spectrum for captive non-public networks (CNPN) based services. Notably, enterprises with more than ₹ 100 crore net worth, willing to set up CNPNs by obtaining spectrum directly from DoT, can participate in the demand study. Further, system integrators interested in establishing CNPN networks for such enterprises can also participate, DoT said in a notification. The DoT clarified that the demand survey is being conducted to assess the demand for direct spectrum assignment to CNPNs, and participation in this exercise does not entitle the entities to any claim for spectrum assignment. This means that companies such as Infosys, Capgemini, GMR, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Communications, Tata Power and Tejas Networks, among others, will again have the opportunity to present their case for getting direct spectrum from the government to set up private 5G networks. In 2022, these companies were among 20 companies that had participated in a similar demand study by DoT for spectrum, primarily in the 3,300-3,670MHz band. However, the DoT did not act on these requests at the time. On 24 June, Mint reported that the Centre was weighing the case for allocating spectrum directly to enterprises and will soon assess the demand for such dedicated networks. 'During recent analysis, it was observed that the device ecosystem for CNPN is mostly available in IMT (international mobile telecommunications) bands and 5G technology has also considerably advanced with different use cases. Also, system integrators are keenly interested in establishing a CNPN-based network,' the notification said. 'Certain frequency bands were initially proposed for direct assignment of spectrum to CNPN licensees. However, it was observed that there was a lack of device ecosystem in the frequency band identified for CNPN,' the notification added. The DoT clarified that the demand survey is being conducted to assess the demand for direct spectrum assignment to CNPNs, and participation in this exercise does not entitle the entities to any claim for spectrum assignment. A private 5G network, also referred to as a captive non-public network, is designed exclusively for an enterprise's internal use. Unlike public networks, private 5G networks operate in a closed environment, providing dedicated connectivity to industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, automotive and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). This ensures seamless automation and operational efficiency within factory premises and corporate campuses, free from interference from public networks. Notably, the DoT will conduct the demand survey through the Saral Sanchar portal from 1 July to 31 July. Despite three years since the launch of 5G in the country, private 5G networks have not taken off. The reasons include higher costs, security concerns and the absence of compelling use cases such as the Internet of Things (IoT). Additionally, many enterprises have found that 4G networks and Wi-Fi solutions are sufficient for their automation and connectivity needs. According to a February report by the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), India has only 10 private networks compared to 325 in the US, 101 in Germany, 65 in the UK, 55 in China and 43 in Japan. The association counts companies such as Apple, Intel, Ericsson, Nokia and Qualcomm as members. There are 80 countries with at least one private mobile network, the GSA said in the report. In 2022, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) offered four options for setting up private networks: using a telecom company's network slice, purchasing private network services from telcos, leasing spectrum from telcos, or receiving direct spectrum allocation. The DoT chose the first three in May 2023, opting not to assign spectrum directly. However, in February this year, Trai recommended creating a CNPN provider authorization under Section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which would allow enterprises to set up and run their own private 5G networks independently.
India Gazette
30-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Module launched on Saral Sanchar portal for carrying out demand survey to identify frequency bands for direct assignment of spectrum to CNPN
New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued guidelines for the establishment of Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPNs). These guidelines allow enterprises to set up their own captive, private 4G/5G networks by either utilizing the spectrum assigned to the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) or through the direct assignment of spectrum, thereby ensuring secure, high-reliability, and low-latency connectivity tailored to specific operational requirements, said the Ministry of Communications. Certain frequency bands were initially proposed for direct assignment of spectrum to CNPN licensees. However, it was observed that there was a lack of a device ecosystem in the frequency band identified for CNPN. During recent analysis, it was observed that the device ecosystem for CNPN is mostly available in IMT bands and 5G technology has also considerably advanced with different use cases. Also, system integrators are keenly interested in establishing CNPN-based networks. Accordingly, the DoT has now launched a module on the Saral Sanchar portal to assess a fresh demand for spectrum in various prospective frequency bands and carry out a demand survey to identify the prospective frequency bands for the direct assignment of spectrum for CNPN-based services. The portal may be accessed at: An Office Memorandum (OM) has been issued in this regard today and the same is available on the DoT website. The eligibility criteria for the direct assignment of spectrum shall be governed by the CNPN guidelines dated June 27, 2022. Enterprises having net worth of more than Rs 100 Crores, willing to set up CNPNs by obtaining spectrum directly from DoT and System Integrators interested in establishing CNPN networks for such Enterprises are invited to participate in this exercise The details can be submitted on the portal from July 1 to July 31, 2025. (ANI)
