Telecom

The home ministry believes that 700 MHz 5G spectrum is key for public safety networks because of a matured device ecosystem, lower deployment cost and the band’s ability to travel longer distances and penetrate buildings with its signals better than the higher-frequency bands.

The Cellular Operators Association of India has petitioned the regulator to enforce a cost-based pricing framework, accusing the Adani-run airport of bypassing Telecom Act rules to install monopolistic gatekeepers.

A high-stakes war is currently raging between infrastructure developers and telecom operators, with the passenger caught in the dead zone.

The telecom regulator lacks strong statutory powers that are granted to Sebi. Trai can only impose penalities on specific violations like spam and the quality of services. But even these fines go unpaid as operators move the appellate tribual.

Despite prior ministerial assurances that license-free access to this spectrum was a ‘necessity,’ the new blueprint leaves global tech giants like Google and Meta in limbo.

Wi-Fi offloading allows mobile phones to redirect their data traffic from cellular networks to nearby Wi-Fi networks when available.

AGR relief, satellite broadband, and spectrum auctions will shape India’s telecom landscape in 2026.