Telecom infrastructure being readied for 5G launch
 The Department of Telecommunications organised an event that witnessed the release of amendments in Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules 2016. Intended to facilitate the easier and faster deployment of Telecom Infrastructure, these amendments were released by the Union Minister of Communications, Electronics & IT and Ralways, Ashwini Vaishnaw. He also launched a new 5G RoW application, “form” on GatiShakti Sanchar Portal to enable faster 5G roll-out in the country.
These amendments will pave the way for deployment of 5G small cells on existing street infrastructure. India is ready for the launch of 5G services by October this year. Vaishnav informed that the four basic ingredients for ensuring faster rollout of 5G services across the country are co-operative federalism, allocation of spectrum, rollout of services and reforms in the processing of RoW permission.
According to the minister, harmonisation and spectrum allocation have been successfully completed. Chairman DCC & Secretary (T), K Rajaraman, besides representatives of industry were present on the occasion. In line with the PM Modi’s vision of infrastructure development in an integrated manner, GatiShakti Sanchar Portal was launched by DoT in May this year. In order to make India ready for 5G launch, the IT systems of all the states and UTs as well as the major infrastructure in central ministries like Highways and Railway have been integrated with the portal to make the country ready for 5G launch.
Vaishnav also commended the work of state governments & UTs on RoW policy alignment. The salient features of the amendments includes the expansion of telecom infrastructure on the back of faster fiberisation. Improvement in ease of doing business is another benefit of these amendments as now GatiShakti Sanchar Portal will be the single window portal that will facilitate all telecom related RoW applications.
Further, the administrative fee for laying optical fiber overground will be Rs 1,000/ Km. The central government and its agencies will not charge any administrative fee for the establishment of poles on the land controlled or owned by them. All these reforms shall also bring down the cost and time of deployment of telecom infrastructure. Also, the liberty has been provided to develop telecom infrastructure on private property. All these measures will facilitate the upgradation and rapid expansion of telecom networks.
