may need to go for a spectrum-sharing pact with (Vi) in some key markets to plug gaps and overcome service restrictions to deliver quality 5G services on the crucial C-band (read: 3.3-3.67 GHz), two people aware of the matter said.
Airtel, however, downplayed these challenges.
The challenges in question, as highlighted by experts, in deploying 5G services in the C-band in eight circles are two-pronged: one, there are 5G service restrictions in parts of the C-band (from 3.3-3.4 GHz) near the border areas in some circles (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, West); and two, the non-availability of 30 units of 5G airwaves (from 3.4-3.43 GHz) in in Karnataka, Kerala, MP, Northeast and Rajasthan, these people said. “A possible solution that could explore is sharing C-band airwaves with Vi to create a continuous block of 80 MHz in big markets such as Karnataka, Kerala, MP and Rajasthan to ensure unhindered and quality 5G coverage on the C-band airwaves,” one of people told ET.
Airtel has pan-India 5G airwaves in the C-band while Vi has the same in 17 circles. But due to the mix of service exclusion zones and spectrum non-availability in some locations, Airtel will have unrestricted access to its full quota of 100 units of C-band airwaves in only 14 out of the 22 circles. As a result, spectrum sharing with Vi is seen as a solution to plug gaps in other circles.
