DoT meets telecom operators, vendors to discuss 5G trials

A day after government said all operators will be allowed to participate in upcoming 5G trials, Department of Telecom (DoT) held a meeting with various service providers and equipment vendors, including Huawei, to discuss way forward. meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash, lasted for over an hour. An official with one of telcos said that all operators attended meeting. A Huawei executive, who was present at meeting, declined to comment on proceedings.

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All service providers to conduct 5G trials

Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said government will allocate airwaves to all telecom service providers for conducting trials of super-fast speed 5G networks. As things stand today, India will t bar any equipment suppliers in upcoming trials for 5G. Asked specifically about status of Huawei in this context, minister had said:

"All players mean all players"

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This stance is expected to spell relief for Chinese gear maker, which is facing curbs in US, and rivals western equipment makers such as Ericsson. Many countries, however, have allowed telecom service providers to use Chinese gears. And w, India has also indicated its unwillingness to keep any company out of 5G trials. This implies that all operators, backed by equipment vendors y have decided to partner with, will be able to participate in upcoming 5G trials in country. "I would like new invations by Indian players in 5G. 5G is future, it is speed.

refore, we will encour new invations in 5G," minister had said on Monday on sidelines of a telecom event. Huawei India CEO Jay Chen had said in an e-mail statement to PTI on Monday that company firmly believes that only techlogy invations and high-quality networks will be key to rejuvenating Indian telecom industry. Thanking Indian government for ir continued faith in company, Chen had said:

"We have our full confidence in Modi government to drive 5G in India. We have our full confidence in Indian government and industry to partner with best techlogy for India's own long-term benefit and also for cross-industry development."

Huawei is committed to India, company said. 5G trials are widely-expected to begin between January and March. Sources had recently said government has received seven applications for 5G trials and added that all operators and vendors (including kia, Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE and Samsung) are keen to participate. In September this year, Huawei had said it is hopeful that Indian government will treat all foreign investments "fairly" and had urged world's largest democracy to make an "independent decision" on permitting 5G trials in country.

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At that time, Chinese firm had also sought to assure Indian government that company is fully compliant with regulations in India, and of addressing concerns around cybersecurity. Earlier this year, US had banned Huawei, world's leader in telecom equipment and number two smartphone producer, over concerns of security and Washington had been pressuring or countries to restrict operations of Chinese telecom firm.

US President Donald Trump-led administration had placed Huawei and its affiliates on a blacklist, a move that banned Chinese telecom equipment company from purchasing parts and components from American firms without US government approval. However, it had subsequently relaxed some of restrictions, to reduce disruption for its customers.

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