New Delhi: The government may not auction spectrum frequency range between 27.5-28.5 gigahertz and leave it for satellite services, according to official sources.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had recommended a base price for this frequency range and suggested that it can be used for both mobiles as well as satellite services.

Two official sources acknowledged that the Department of Telecom (DoT) is considering auctioning spectrum only up to 27.5 Ghz as sharing between the two services is difficult.

"Trai also understands that it is difficult for both 5G and satellite transmitters to work side by side. We are going ahead with an auction of only up to 27.5 Ghz," an official source said. However, to a PTI query on whether the government is mulling not auctioning the frequency range of 27.5-28.5 Ghz and leaving it for satellite services, the Department of Telecom said the information is "a rumour".

The official said the government is looking if Earth Stations In-Motion (ESIM) can be allowed in 27.5-28.5 Ghz, which is available for in-flight and maritime connectivity, but meanwhile, there are no plans to auction this frequency range.

When contacted, the DoT said: "With regards to the email sent by you, I have been directed to inform you that the information or the statement mentioned in the mail is a rumour".

A senior DoT official said that there are several views within the department and nothing is final yet.

Trai has mooted a mega auction plan valued at over Rs 7.5 lakh crore at the base price across multiple bands for radio waves allocated over 30 years. It has been recommended that the millimetre wave spectrum between 24.25-28.5 Ghz is going to be used for capacity requirements, and its deployment is not likely to be ubiquitous.

Source:- PTI