Latest news with #BIF
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
DoT's demand survey for private 5G networks finds few takers
New Delhi: The government's renewed push to allocate spectrum directly for private 5G networks has turned out to be a damp squib with just a few enterprises showing interest, people aware of the details told ET. A demand study conducted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to understand the spectrum requirement for direct allocation attracted only a few applications, including incomplete ones that didn't have the requisite details, they said. 'We will study and take a call around direct allocation of spectrum for captive private networks,' an official said on condition of anonymity. Telecom service providers have been opposing the move to give spectrum directly to enterprises, arguing that such private networks can be rolled out through airwaves allocated to telcos. The technology industry, on its part, is questioning the need for a fresh demand study as one such study was done a couple of years ago. 'Another demand study for private 5G seems a pointless exercise, serving only to further delay the introduction of a product globally proven with thousands of CNPN ( captive non-public networks ) and India trailing by three years,' Broadband India Forum (BIF) president TV Ramachandran told ET. 'India needs CNPN for Industry 4.0 , digitalisation and improved global competitiveness in many sectors,' he added. The previous demand study drew applications from over 20 players including Infosys, Tata Communications, Tata Power, GMR, and Larsen & Toubro, but nothing much happened after that. This time, however, there was no such interest from these players. The DoT in June 2022 had notified guidelines for establishment of CNPNs or private networks. These guidelines allow enterprises to set up their own captive private 4G or 5G networks by either utilising spectrum from telcos or direct assignment from the department. The DoT felt there was a need for another demand study as certain spectrum bands that were initially identified for direct assignment to private networks lack device ecosystem. READ MORE | Direct spectrum allocation for enterprise 5G not tenable in India: Telcos 'During a recent analysis, it was observed that the device ecosystem for CNPN is mostly available in IMT bands and 5G technology has also considerably advanced with different use cases,' DoT said while seeking applications for the demand study. 'Also, system integrators are keenly interested in establishing CNPN-based networks,' it said. However, BIF felt demand for such a private network, for example, at Maruti, can only be singular because of relevance only to Maruti for internal efficiency improvements and a captive network with no services to the public and revenue therefrom. 'Hence, no need for demand study, or onerous license. Spectrum should be given directly to enterprises at cost to just cover the cost of administration and regulation and no further delay to boost the economy,' Ramachandran said. Under private networks, corporate houses can set up their own Wi-Fi and data networks instead of taking the services from a telecom service provider as is the norm currently. The telcos, however, feel direct spectrum allocation to enterprises is not tenable because of various reasons pertaining to the country's telecom ecosystem, national revenue, and security architecture.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Demand for 5G spectrum among private enterprises weak: DoT survey
The government's renewed push to allocate spectrum directly for private 5G networks has turned out to be a damp squib with just a few enterprises showing interest, people aware of the details told ET.A demand study conducted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to understand the spectrum requirement for direct allocation attracted only a few applications, including incomplete ones that didn't have the requisite details, they said. "We will study and take a call around direct allocation of spectrum for captive private networks," an official said on condition of anonymity. Telecom service providers have been opposing the move to give spectrum directly to enterprises, arguing that such private networks can be rolled out through airwaves allocated to telcos. The technology industry, on its part, is questioning the need for a fresh demand study as one such study was done a couple of years ago. "Another demand study for private 5G seems a pointless exercise, serving only to further delay the introduction of a product globally proven with thousands of CNPN (captive non-public networks) and India trailing by three years," Broadband India Forum (BIF) president TV Ramachandran told ET."India needs CNPN for Industry 4.0, digitalisation and improved global competitiveness in many sectors," he previous demand study drew applications from over 20 players including Infosys, Tata Communications, Tata Power, GMR, and Larsen & Toubro, but nothing much happened after time, however, there was no such interest from these DoT in June 2022 had notified guidelines for establishment of CNPNs or private networks. These guidelines allow enterprises to set up their own captive private 4G or 5G networks by either utilising spectrum from telcos or direct assignment from the DoT felt there was a need for another demand study as certain spectrum bands that were initially identified for direct assignment to private networks lack device ecosystem."During a recent analysis, it was observed that the device ecosystem for CNPN is mostly available in IMT bands and 5G technology has also considerably advanced with different use cases," DoT said while seeking applications for the demand study. "Also, system integrators are keenly interested in establishing CNPN-based networks," it said. However, BIF felt demand for such a private network, for example, at Maruti, can only be singular because of relevance only to Maruti for internal efficiency improvements and a captive network with no services to the public and revenue therefrom. "Hence, no need for demand study, or onerous license. Spectrum should be given directly to enterprises at cost to just cover the cost of administration and regulation and no further delay to boost the economy," Ramachandran private networks, corporate houses can set up their own Wi-Fi and data networks instead of taking the services from a telecom service provider as is the norm telcos, however, feel direct spectrum allocation to enterprises is not tenable because of various reasons pertaining to the country's telecom ecosystem, national revenue, and security architecture.
Web Release
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
IN ACTION EVENTS Takes the Lead with a Spectacular 2025 Edition
IN ACTION EVENTS Takes the Lead with a Spectacular 2025 Edition The iconic Byblos International Festival (BIF) has officially entered a bold new chapter under the visionary leadership of IN ACTION EVENTS, which is now responsible for the festival's organization, management, and production for the next three years. The 2025 edition opened with a bang: Guy Manoukian delivered an unforgettable concert with over 5,000 attendees, followed by international sensation Jason Derulo, who lit up Byblos with a spectacular show that had more than 5,000 young Lebanese dancing all night. And the journey isn't over yet — three magical nights are still ahead: • Lost Frequencies – August 8 • Slimane – August 9 • Naïka – August 10 This year's edition is more than just a festival — it's a production masterpiece: • A breathtaking stage and screen design • State-of-the-art sound and lighting • A warm and curated food court with a sunset view • A team that was everywhere: organized, efficient, and passionate Once again, IN ACTION EVENTS has worked a miracle, saving the festival and crafting something magical. This is not just a continuation — it's a reinvention.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DoT says no to more delicensing of 6 GHz; may raise output power for outdoor WiFi
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is not looking at delicensing more spectrum in the 6 GHz band that the tech industry has been demanding, as it believes enough airwaves have already been made available to take care of WiFi DoT is open to a marginal increase in the transmit power requirements for outdoor WiFi devices , which can be done by using 6 Ghz airwaves, partially accepting the industry's request, government officials aware of the matter told ET. But this too will be allowed only if such a change does not lead to interference with existing applications or satellite operations, particularly defence-related functions, they said, asking not to be named."We have received comments from stakeholders regarding the delicensing of the lower 6 GHz band. We will notify the rules soon but more spectrum in the band won't be delicensed," said an minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently announced that the government would come out with rules for the 6 GHz band before August in May had delicensed 500 MHz spectrum in the 6 GHz band for WiFi and low-power wireless equipment requirements. Officials in the department feel that the intent for delicensing or allocating spectrum without auction in the band was to develop new applications, particularly those that work in low- and very-low-power systems. Already around 700 MHz spectrum is available for WiFi use in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. As per experts, the additional 6 GHz spectrum can be used alongside the existing WiFi airwaves to get better speeds and Broadband India Forum (BIF), which counts Amazon, Google, Meta, Qualcomm and Netflix among its members, had sought an additional delicensing of 160 MHz in the band to take the total quantum to 660 MHz, so that the complete benefits of the 6 GHz spectrum could be utilised."This would ensure that at least two users could get 320 MHz wide channels simultaneously for high-speed applications and data usage and would also ensure that any combination of channel bandwidths of 320, 160 and 80 MHz could be used for deployment of advanced Wi-Fi technologies viz. Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7," the BIF had said in a memorandum to the government, however, feels it won't be possible to delicense more than 500 MHz in the band as the rest could be utilised for mobility services, particularly 5G and 6G the entire telecom industry was unanimously seeking the full 1200 MHz spectrum in the 6 GHz band for mobile use, but after the government delicensed 500 MHz, telecom market leader Reliance Jio changed its stance and supported the government's move. It also sought to increase the power for outdoor WiFi devices, aligning with the tech industry.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Broadband India Forum lauds government's move to open 6 GHz spectrum
New Delhi: On the occasion of World Wi-Fi Day , TV Ramachandran , President of the Broadband India Forum (BIF), hailed the government's recent decision to delicense 500 MHz of the 6 GHz spectrum , calling it a significant move for India's digital future. Speaking to at an event in Delhi, Ramachandran emphasised the importance of the decision, which had been under consideration for several years. "Today was a very important event... In particular circumstances today, the government has recently launched 500 MHz of delicensed 6 GHz spectrum that has been in the works for the last 3 or 4 years. And it's a great step, probably the first step towards that direction, and this is going to help innovation, R&D, and connectivity for high-data applications..." he said. The decision came as part of India's efforts to improve digital access, promote Wi-Fi connectivity , and boost innovation and research in the high-speed wireless data space. The 6 GHz band is expected to play a major role in enhancing Wi-Fi services, especially for bandwidth-heavy applications such as online education, remote work, telemedicine, and IoT (Internet of Things). Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his keynote address at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organised by the Broadband India Forum, stated that Wi-Fi will be a $22 billion segment in India by 2035, playing a transformative role in the nation's digital journey. Describing Wi-Fi as "an invisible force capable of powering visible change," Scindia hailed India's rapid strides in digital inclusion, noting that India now contributes 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental tool of empowerment, akin to access to capital and infrastructure in previous eras. "Wi-Fi is not just about internet access; it's about widespread inclusion in India in the future. Every hotspot must become a hope spot," said Scindia, outlining a vision for grassroots entrepreneurship driven by affordable devices, ubiquitous networks, and deregulated spectrum. He underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages.
