Page 124 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

5G services were launched across all states and Idea participated in the 2021 spectrum auctions, where
union territories in India by October 2024, according rival operators Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm
to the Economic Survey 2025, released by the Indian launched their 5G services soon after.The 5G trials
government. Currently, 5G connectivity is available in by Vodafone Idea are accessible to both prepaid and
India 779 out of 783 districts, supported by the deployment postpaid customers and are operating on the 3.3 GHz
and 26 GHz spectrum bands.
of over 460,000 5G base transceiver stations (BTSs)
across the country. Indian telecom operators, including (February 3, 2025) www.rcrwireless.com
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have been actively
expanding their 5G networks since October 2022. “The The Government of India has approved the refarming
deployment of 5G services, along with new policies of 687 MHz of spectrum from various ministries for the
aimed at improving telecommunications infrastructure deployment of 5G and future 6G services, local press
and user experience, has been instrumental in reported, citing the country’s Communications Minister
advancing digital connectivity,” the survey noted. The Jyotiraditya Scindia, as saying. The frequencies are
report further emphasized the rapid growth of India’s being refarmed from the Ministry of Defense, the Indian
telecom sector, driven by rising smartphone adoption, Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Ministry
increasing data consumption and next-generation of Information and Broadcasting. According to the
technologies like 5G. India has now become the second- reports, these frequencies will now be brought for
largest telecom market globally, with over 1.18 billion auctions. “By 2030, the telecom sector’s total spectrum
telephone subscribers, an overall teledensity of 84% and demand is projected to reach 2,000 MHz. Currently, we
941 million broadband users as of October 31, 2024. have 900 MHz, leaving a gap of 1,100 MHz,” Scindia told
To enhance digital inclusion, the Indian government reporters. The refarming of 687 MHz spectrum brings
has undertaken various initiatives, including a project the total available spectrum to 1,587 MHz, Scindia said,
to bring 4G mobile services to 24,680 previously adding that the remaining 413 megahertz required to
unconnected villages and upgrade 6,279 villages from meet the 2030 demand would also be made available
2G/3G networks to 4G. Currently, both Bharti Airtel within the stipulated timeline. Out of the 687 MHz
and Reliance Jio Infocomm offer 5G networks in all spectrum approved by the government, 328 MHz of
major cities across the country. While Jio is offering spectrum will be released immediately, according to
standalone 5G technology (SA), Airtel has opted for the report. Indian carriers have been recently asking
Non-Standalone 5G technology (NSA). Vodafone Idea for more spectrum from the government to improve
has announced plans to initiate a phased rollout of 4G and 5G services, and also for 6G services. Scindia
5G services in 2025, as part of its broader strategy to added that a committee of secretaries is working on
enhance network capabilities and improve customer identifying more spectrum to refarm soon. “A report will
experience. Vodafone Idea has recently initiated come by the middle of this year [on further spectrum
trials for its 5G services in India, according to local refarming], and we would take that step to ensure that
press reports. The 5G trials are limited to 17 telecom there are no bottlenecks for our telecom landscape to
circles and are not yet commercially available. This grow in India,” Scindia added.
development follows a two-year delay since Vodafone (January 23, 2025) www.rcrwireless.com

The Italian Government is reportedly in negotiations to also benefit from the encrypted services. Direct-to-cell
commission secure telecoms from SpaceX in what could satellite services are also on the cards, which would
be the largest project of its kind. A report by Bloomberg provide an important backup when terrorist attacks and
claims discussions are said to be ongoing; and if natural disasters render cellular connections unusable.
Italy agreed upon, SpaceX could win a five-year contract to However, the relationship between Meloni, Trump and
provide the Italian government with telecommunication Musk has been criticized on a global scale. The SpaceX
services. Unnamed sources familiar with the matter leader’s substantial political contributions and alliances
stated the country’s Intelligence Services and Defense could give him extensive access to the White House
Ministry have already expressed approval for the deal. and global leaders, harming both politics and market
The deal, believed to be worth €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion), competition. Should such a deal go ahead, it wouldn’t
would see SpaceX provide telephone and internet be the first time that Italy and the US have worked
service encryption for the government. Discussions had together, as in 2024, Telecom Italia SpA sold its landline
previously been put on hold until the country’s Prime network to KKR & Co, a US private equity company.
Minister, Giorgia Meloni, recently visited upcoming US The Italian government has explored other options,
President Donald Trump in Florida. Talks have been including building its own satellite constellation and
ongoing since mid-2023, however some have expressed using IRIS, a secure satellite constellation developed by
concerns about how a deal with Musk’s SpaceX could the European Union to support European sovereignty,
be detrimental to Italian competition. Under the deal, however SpaceX’s costs are believed to be favorable.
the Italian military operating in the Mediterranean would (January 13, 2025) www.techradar.com
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