Juniper Networks: Light-touch regulation for 26GHz band spectrum to spur private 5G adoption
NEW DELHI: Juniper Networks, an American telecom gear manufacturer, advocates for minimal regulatory interference concerning the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum in the 26GHz band. The goal is to facilitate industrial adoption of private 5G in India.
“Private 5G adoption will thrive with minimal regulatory constraints on this spectrum. If this approach is taken, I believe private 5G will gain significant traction. I urge the Government of India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, and other stakeholders to consider this and expedite the integration of these technologies,” Sajan Paul, Managing Director & Country Manager, India & SAARC at Juniper Networks, shared in an interview.
Paul pointed out that similar issues are prevalent with the latest Wi-Fi protocols, such as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, utilizing the 6GHz or 7GHz bands, which are also unlicensed in India and several Western nations.
He emphasized that deregulation of the 26GHz band, akin to the treatment of Wi-Fi, could propel the creation of industrial-grade, fifth-generation (5G)-based use cases.
In July 2022, the Indian government auctioned airwaves in the 26GHz band for the first time, with major bidders including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Adani Data Network seeking spectrum to fulfill their operational needs.
Industry experts highlight that captive non-public networks (CNPN) could emerge as a significant revenue stream for telecommunications carriers, particularly since opportunities within the consumer segment are currently limited.
Nevertheless, regulatory uncertainty and the lack of a comprehensive device ecosystem remain considerable barriers to the widespread adoption of private 5G networks in India.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through its 2022 guidelines, proposed that telecom operators offer private network-as-a-service to enterprises utilizing their public networks. Alternatively, telecom operators could establish isolated CNPNs with their IMT spectrum or allow enterprises to lease spectrum to create their private networks.
However, a definitive resolution regarding enterprises directly obtaining spectrum for their own CNPNs from the telecom department has yet to be reached. This directly competes with telecom operators’ interests, who are concerned about potential revenue losses.
“Private 5G has not yet gained momentum, but it represents a compelling use case in large industrial applications across various sectors, including oil and natural gas, manufacturing, and automotive industries. A combination of Wi-Fi and private 5G solutions will likely emerge,” stated Paul.
Moreover, Sandy Motley, President of the Fixed Networks Business Group at Nokia, recently described mmWave as the “next wave of technology” for fixed wireless access (FWA), capable of addressing spectrum shortages. “I foresee mmWave evolving significantly, with a major uptick expected around 2026,” Motley noted.
According to the London-based GSMA, this frequency range offers broad harmonization coupled with reduced user equipment complexity, enabling telecom carriers to address speed, latency, and capacity demands effectively.
