5G in India soon: Field trials of 5G to begin in 100 days, says Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

India is planning to commence field trials of 5G networks across country in next 100 days, according to India's newly appointed Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. India will also hold a mega spectrum auction for 5G and or radio waves this year.

Prasad said that India will soon commence field trials of 5G techlogy across country in an effort to roll it out for public use once trials get over. Here's what Prasad had to say:

"We are soon going to launch field trials of 5G techlogy. It shall be our effort to roll out 5G for public use after field trials," said Prasad.

READ | India requires 5G network sooner than expected, says Ericsson

Prasad also talked about government's plan to "channelize and lever" domestic intelligence and solutions provided by Indian startups to help implement 5G techlogy.

"We want to channelize and lever solutions provided by India’s startups in implementation of 5G techlogy," Prasad added.

READ | India braces for 5G as ecomic impact estimated to be over one trillion dollars!

anuncement comes at a time when smartphone companies are launching 5G devices in global market and India clearly wants to adopt future telecom network techlogies at earliest and strengn its infrastructure.

Addressing controversial issue of wher Chinese telecom giant Huawei will be allowed to participate in upcoming 5G trials, Prasad told reporters that "complex issue" will be looked at seriously including security aspects.

Meanwhile, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended auction of about 8,644 MHz of telecom frequencies, including those for 5G services, at an estimated total base price of Rs 4.9 lakh crore.

Balesh Sharma, new chairman of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has appealed to government that 5G spectrum is made available to all players at "reasonable prices." COAI has also pitched for lower levies and taxes to make Telecom sector stronger and sustainable.

"5G spectrum should be made available to all players at reasonable prices such that more investments are directed towards enhancing network capacity and capabilities,"  said Sharma, who is also CEO of Vodafone Idea.

(With PTI inputs)