The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has extended the deadline for submitting comments and counter-comments on its recently released consultation paper concerning the assignment of microwave spectrum across multiple frequency bands. The original deadline of June 25 for comments and July 9 for counter-comments has now been pushed to July 2 and July 16 respectively.
The extension comes in response to requests from various industry bodies and stakeholders who had asked for additional time to review the technical and regulatory issues outlined in the paper. TRAI had issued the consultation paper on May 28, 2025, covering assignment modalities for spectrum in the 6 GHz (lower), 7 GHz, 13 GHz, 15 GHz, 18 GHz, and 21 GHz bands, as well as E-Band and V-Band frequencies. These bands are considered crucial for high-capacity backhaul and fixed wireless access in next-generation network deployments, including 5G and beyond.
With the new deadlines in place, stakeholders now have another week to finalise their written submissions and an additional two weeks to respond to counterpoints raised by others in the industry. The regulator noted that submissions should preferably be made electronically, directed to the email ID [email protected], to facilitate efficient collation and analysis.
For those seeking clarification on the scope of the consultation or procedural issues, TRAI has directed them to contact Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Networks, Spectrum & Licensing), via the official helpline number +91-11-20907758.
The consultation exercise is part of TRAI’s broader engagement strategy with industry actors to shape a flexible and market-responsive approach to spectrum management. The frequency bands under discussion are particularly relevant in the evolving communications ecosystem where microwave and millimetre-wave technologies are gaining prominence for supporting dense network architectures and smart city deployments.
By extending the timeline, TRAI appears to be making room for deeper industry participation and technical review, especially considering the implications for spectrum sharing, pricing models, and licensing frameworks that could emerge from the responses. The microwave bands are not only seen as enablers for mobile broadband backhaul but also hold promise for enterprise-grade connectivity in urban and rural contexts.
The regulator’s decision reflects its continuing commitment to consultative policymaking, particularly on issues where technical complexity intersects with commercial and public interest considerations. The extended window also indicates that the paper has generated substantial interest from telecom operators, satellite service providers, and equipment vendors, all of whom will be impacted by the eventual regulatory outcomes.
As the industry prepares for the next wave of spectrum auctions and allocative decisions, the feedback received through this round of consultation is likely to influence not just licensing terms, but also broader policy directions in wireless communications infrastructure.
