New Delhi: Akhil Gupta<\/a>, vice chairman Bharti Enterprises<\/a> has urged the government to keep the prices for 5G spectrum<\/a> nominal, help states align their rights of way policies (RoW) with that of the central government and more sharing of active infrastructure between private operators as the primary drivers of proliferation of 5G services<\/a> in the country.
Addressing the India Mobile Congress<\/a> on Thursday, Gupta said, “ India’s mobile industry<\/a> is poised for significant growth and for telecom operators to keep investing in the sector, the government and the industry must work together to provide broadband for all”.
Congratulating the government on the bold telecom relief package which allows deferral of payments to government as well as an option to convert debt into government’s equity, Gupta said the second factor which would propel the industry forward was rise in tariffs.
“ While tariffs have risen by about 25%, they need to reach Rs 300 per month,” he explained.
He explained that while the recent government’s efforts would provide temporary relief to the sector in order to take 5G<\/a> to every nook and cranny in the country, telcos needed large amounts of capital to invest in the technology. “ While the recent tariff hikes are a small step, we need tariffs to touch about $4 per month (Rs 300, this would still keep tariffs in the country among the lowest in the world”.
Apart from rise in Tariffs, Gupta said the price of 5G spectrum needed to be rational. “ Even the National Digital Communications Policy of 2018 (NDCP) says revenue maximisation is not an objective of the government but broadband for all is. For that we need to price 5G spectrum minimally while keeping stringent roll out obligations,” Gupta explained.
He then added that while the central government had worked relentlessly to ensure a convenient rights of way (RoW), many state government’s had still not come on board. “ States need to realise the significance of this policy not just for installing towers and fibre but also street furniture,” Gupta said.
Finally he urged more active sharing of infrastructure between telecom operators to ensure ‘massive savings’ in both capex as well as opex.
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