Will India select 28 GHz for 5G? Satellite communications provider Viasat fears India will risk losing $184.6 billion by 2030 by doing so.

As per Viasat, 26 GHz, harmonized by ITU WRC-19, is more than capable of accommodating the 5G spectrum. It can offer 3.2GHz to all the telcos which should be more than enough for all the possible requirements. Currently, the Indian telcos are trying to attain 400 MHz per telco in mm-wave. This is why they are focused on dedicating 28Ghz to the 5G industry.

However as per Cristian Gomez, Senior Director-Government & Regulatory Affairs (Asia Pacific), Viasat, there is likely to be very little economic benefit for the Satcom services in India.

If India makes the mistake of offering 28Ghz in full or part to 5G mobile industry, which has not demonstrated any uptake in the mid-band so far, then it will lose $184 billion by 2030 and may end up with underutilised spectrum, Cristian Gomez. Mm Wave is not being used and processed globally. It is hard to understand why India is focusing on it when the rest of the world is going in a different direction… we are concerned that India may not be able to benefit from the space economy if there is no spectrum for satcom, he added.

Reasons Explained

Gomez also advised that considering all facts, it is advisable to avoid costly arrangements and incompatible systems which will cause further harm in the long run when the 5G network is up and running.

According to Viasat research, all the other countries, including developed ones, are considering other feasible options and are not focused on mm-Wave or 28Ghz, the reason being the cost factors. As 5G is highly expensive and calls for new infrastructure including millions of new towers, expanding a nationwide network, especially across a vast geographical area will be detrimental to the Indian economy.

All the recommendations from Viasat will be submitted before DoT shortly and the hope is that the telecommunication department remains neutral and listens carefully to the expert advice.