Airtel's 5G Trials Reveal Critical Spectrum Challenges in India

## Breakthrough in 5G Trials by Bharti Airtel

Indian telecommunications operator Bharti Airtel recently marked a significant milestone by testing a live 5G network in Hyderabad using the 1.8 GHz band. However, the company’s CEO has expressed caution, stating that the real celebration will wait until additional spectrum is made available.

### Leveraging 4G for 5G Rollout

Airtel believes that its existing 4G infrastructure can facilitate a smooth transition to commercial 5G services. The operator is equipped with the network upgrades necessary for this move. However, relying on dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) may provide a limited 5G experience and might compromise its 4G service.

DSS has already been instrumental in launching 5G networks in various markets, including Brazil and South Africa. Despite this, Gopal Vittal, Airtel’s CEO, insists that the true potential of 5G can only be realized once the government allocates mid-band spectrum (2.5-3.7 GHz). This allocation is crucial for the low-latency, high-speed services that 5G requires, especially as approximately one million 5G-enabled devices are already in use.

### Competitive Landscape and Spectrum Challenges

Meanwhile, competitor Reliance Jio plans to roll out its 5G network in the latter half of 2021, raising questions about the availability of the necessary spectrum by then. The auction for various 5G bands was postponed last year, with the government now planning to auction the 3.3-3.6 GHz band later this year, following a 4G auction scheduled for March 1.

The cost of 5G spectrum and the specific bands on offer remain major concerns for operators in India. For example, there is ongoing uncertainty about whether the 26GHz-28GHz band will be accessible. Even once the auctions take place, operators face the daunting task of pricing 5G services to attract customers while also improving average revenue per user (ARPU).

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### The Road Ahead

As India continues to prepare for extensive 5G adoption, the focus will remain on how quickly additional spectrum can be allocated and what pricing strategies operators will adopt in a competitive market. How do you think these developments will shape the future of 5G in India?