Improving the odds for 5G

Fixing the approach for networks and services is necessary for getting to 5G

Towards the end of 2021, the government acted admirably in the public interest, making difficult and courageous decisions to partially resolve legacy problems in telecom, such as redefining adjusted gross revenues and withdrawing retrospective tax demands. This gave rise to expectations that reforms would be less constraining, and more beneficial for the public interest. The announcement in June of 5G spectrum auctions and limited E-Band backhaul allocation, alas, falls far short. Why the disappointment, and how might the situation be improved?

Two areas need changes: Backhaul, and access spectrum. One aim is to remove self-imposed constraints. Another is to replicate