Frequency spectrum may also be assigned to other rail networks
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released recommendations on ‘Spectrum Requirements of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for Train Control System for RRTS Corridors’.
Recommendations on administrative assignment of spectrum to NCRTC and the quantum, pricing, charging thereof and any other terms and conditions, for separate spectrum requirements of NCRTC in 700 MHz band.
Any other recommendations deemed fit for the purpose, including assignment of the same spectrum for other Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and Metro rail network pan-India.
In this regard, a Consultation Paper on ‘Spectrum Requirements of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for Train Control System for RRTS Corridors’ was issued on 9 June 2022.
Comments from 20 stakeholders and counter comment from 1 stakeholder were received. An Open House Discussion (OHD) was held on 25 Aug 2022 through virtual mode.
Based on the comments received from the stakeholders and its own analysis, TRAI said it has finalized its Recommendations on ‘Spectrum Requirements of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for Train Control System for RRTS Corridors’.
The salient features of these Recommendations released on 28 Dec 2022 are as follows:
5 MHz (paired) spectrum in 700 MHz band be assigned to NCRTC for use in RRTS corridors along the railway tracks. The frequency spectrum to be assigned to NCRTC, shall be adjacent to the frequency spectrum assigned to Indian Railways in 700 MHz band.
The frequency spectrum assigned to NCRTC may also be assigned to other RRTS and Metro rail networks, which are geographically separated and not likely to cause any interference to one another.
To ascertain the feasibility of assigning the same frequency spectrum (assigned to NCRTC and other RRTS and Metro rail network) to the telecom service providers on non-interference basis, a field trial may be conducted involving the Ministry of Railways and the telecom service providers, under the supervision of DoT.
To ascertain feasibility of RAN sharing, a field trial of RAN sharing through MOCN may be conducted by the Ministry of Railways involving IR and NCRTC, under the supervision of DoT.
A separate category of Permission and License for Captive Non-Public Network for Railway Networks (CNPN-R) may be created. However, the permission and licensing regime for CNPN-R may be kept very simple and light touch.
Spectrum charging mechanism and payment terms:
The Auction Determined Price for 10 years allocation should be equal to 0.5 times (half times) the Auction Determined Price discovered in the latest 2022 Auction for 700 MHz spectrum band for the respective LSA.
The Auction Determined Price of the respective LSAs through which the RRTS and metro rail network passes should be used as a benchmark, adjusted for the corridor area relative to the total geographical area of a particular LSA on a pro-rata basis.
In order to design a clear road-map a similar methodology shall be applicable to other RRTS and Metro rail networks as well as for existing RRTS and Metro rail network, in case of future spectrum requirement.
The payment terms shall be flexible providing options of full upfront payment, part upfront payments as well as equal annual instalments.
The recommendations have been placed on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in fiinews.com
