New Delhi: Private firms with net worth more than ₹100 crore can have a dedicated spectrum to set up captive non-public network (CNPN) for heavy use of mobile and internet facilities. The CNPN is set to revolutionise telecom sector after the launch of 5G technology in the country.
The Department of Telecom (DoT) has come out with a plan to offer spectrum to big companies on lease to run their private mobile network for non-public use. It has invited applications from the interested companies to get spectrum by setting up CNPN by September 9.
The DoT has issued clear-cut guidelines for allotment of spectrum to set up CNPN by the private firms in pursuance of the National Digital Communication Policy 2018. Under the policy, private firms are allowed to get spectrum for their own use from the DoT or any other telecom service provider (TSP).
Many companies dealing in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), Machine to Machine (M2M) communication etc, to catalyse the fourth industrial revolution (Industry-4.0) require use of high speed internet facilities, which could be enabled through dedicated bandwidth.
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The policy clearly stipulates that private captive networks can play a key role in automation and industry 4.0 by providing secure, ultra-reliable, low latency and high throughput communication using advanced technologies.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its recommendations on “Auction of Spectrum in frequency bands identified for IMT/5G” dated 11.04.2022 had recommended four options for setting up of CNPN in India.
Officials said that the DoT after considering the TRAI recommendations has decided to enable setting up of CNPN by private and public sectors entities. The TSPs with access service license have been allowed to provide private networks as a service to an enterprise by using network resources (such as through network slicing) over its PLMN public network.
