‘It is the right time for 5G in India’

At a time when the financial stress in the telecom industry is on the rise, the regulator has floated a consultation paper seeking stakeholders’ views on the next round of spectrum auction for multiple bands, including 5G. In an interview, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman R S SHARMA tells Kiran Rathee there’s no reason why India should be left behind. Edited excerpts:

As a regulator, do you believe there’s financial stress in the telecom industry?

The government has recognised that (the stress) and has put up an inter-ministerial group (IMG). We had also called the industry to tell us as to what we can do as a regulator to ease their financial stress.

Even so, Trai has issued a consultation paper on the next round of spectrum auction for ushering in various bands, including 5G technology. Is it the right time to go for auctions, given the financial condition of telecom operators?

The government asked us to do the consultation and therefore, we floated the paper. My views on the matter will be formed after I get inputs from the stakeholders.

But, is the Indian ecosystem ready for 5G ?

Certainly. Why not? Why should India be behind others? What is it that makes India unsuitable for introduction of 5G? It is the right time for 5G in India. It’s not the government which will implement 5G, it’s the industry which will do it. I don’t see any reason why the industry won’t be able to execute 5G.

Recently, the Competition Commission of India wrote to the Trai on the issue of predatory pricing. What are your views?

I don’t speak to the Press about communications with other regulators. We have a wonderful relationship and there is no question of any relationship problem.

WHY SHOULD INDIA BE BEHIND OTHERS? WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES INDIA UNSUITABLE FOR INTRODUCTION OF 5G?