Page 101 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

TRAI Pushes for Direct 5G Spectrum Access for Enterprises

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently implement Sections 3 and 4 of the Telecom Act, which address
proposed granting direct access to spectrum for companies, spectrum allocation and authorization. If accepted, TRAI’s proposal
enabling them to set up private 5G networks independently, could accelerate enterprise 5G deployments, an area that has so
according to Indian press reports. This proposal generates optimism far seen little traction in India. According to data from the Global
among corporations such as Infosys, Tata Communications and Mobile Suppliers Association (GSMA), India currently has only 10
Larsen & Toubro, that have been advocating for the possibility private 5G networks, compared to over 170 in the United States
to establish their own dedicated 5G networks without relying on and more than 50 between China and Germany combined. “TRAI
telecom operators. Industry analysts suggest that if the government recommendations, if accepted by the government, will be a game
approves TRAI’s recommendation, enterprises could deploy private changer as we have more than 10 domestic design-led players
5G networks at significantly reduced costs compared to leasing who can take up the projects… there is demand for above 10,000
spectrum or using telco-provided services. Last week, TRAI made projects,” said Rakesh Kumar Bhatnagar, Director General of the
a recommendation for a distinct authorization framework under Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (VoICE).
Section 3 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, allowing captive “Many players need not be at the mercy of licensed service
non-public network (CNPN) providers to establish, maintain and providers.” However, Indian telcos including Bharti Airtel, Reliance
expand private networks for businesses. Section 3 of the Act Jio, and Vodafone Idea, have been opposing any move to allocate
permits the administrative allocation of spectrum for sectors spectrum administratively rather than through auctions. These
such as defense, disaster management, broadcasting, in-flight companies argue that such an approach would create an uneven
and maritime connectivity and other critical industries, including playing field, as they are required to pay substantial amounts to
mining and oil exploration. However, legal experts noted that the acquire spectrum in competitive bidding processes.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has yet to formally

UK Government's Project Gigabit Brings Superfast Broadband to Scotland

Around 11,000 Scottish homes and businesses will gain access
to lightning-fast broadband, as joint efforts by the UK and Scottish
governments to supercharge internet access in rural areas across
the nation get underway and power the UK Government’s Plan for
Change. Rural areas in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian will
benefit from gigabit-capable internet upgrades, allowing residents
to fulfil day-to-day tasks, from rapid access to health advice
through remote hospital consultations to interviewing for jobs and
working more flexibly. The upgrades will benefit some of the most
remote areas of Scotland and the UK, including Athelstaneford and
Innerwick in East Lothian and St Abbs, Broughton and Ettrickbridge
in the Scottish Borders. These areas will be among the first in
Scotland to benefit from a £26 million contract awarded under
Project Gigabit – the UK Government-funded rollout to areas
unlikely to receive upgrades through commercial plans due to their
challenging location. The contract was awarded to independent
Scottish provider GoFibre by the Scottish Government. Now the playing field but also helping us realise our mission to boost
£26 million contract is signed, detailed planning and surveying economic growth and improve living standards across the whole
work will begin immediately with the first connections expected country, under the PM’s Plan for Change. Richard Lochhead,
in the Autumn. Further contracts to be signed this year will see Scottish Government Business Minister said, as reliable internet
faster broadband delivered to tens of thousands more premises connectivity is a vital part of everyday life - allowing people to
across Scotland, including Aberdeenshire and the Morayshire work flexibly, engage in education and stay connected with loved
Coast, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Orkney and Shetland. Chris Bryant, ones. The Scottish Government has successfully implemented
UK Government Minister, Telecoms and Data said as technological digital infrastructure programmes across Scotland to increase
advancements race ahead and revolutionise our day-to-day lives, broadband speeds and help grow the economy. Expanding upon
we cannot afford to leave anyone behind. It is fantastic to see the achievements of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband
this UK Government-funded gigabit investment being delivered in and Reaching 100% programmes, we will deliver Project Gigabit in
Scotland for the first time, not only bringing thousands of people Scotland to provide resilient connections that meet the needs of
the fastest broadband networks on the market and levelling the people and businesses now and into the future.

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