This topic has been in discussion for many years between Industry and DoT India to license or de-license the “E” band 77-81GHz. The debates by both sides of the lobby groups have left DoT in a dilemma for a few years now in making a decision. In 2022, DoT formed a committee under the leadership of the Wireless Advisor which decided to take TRAI’s (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) recommendation into consideration. Under Section 11(1)(a) of TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended) TRAI published a paper in 2023 for public/stakeholders/industry comments ‘Open and De-Licensed use of Unused or Limited Used Spectrum Bands for Demand Generation for Limited Period in Tera Hertz Range’.
TRAI received several comments from various stakeholders (C-PRAV also commented) and finally submitted their Recommendation to DoT in Aug 2024.
License-exempt operations in the 77-81 GHz band for automotive radar applications was one of the main issues raised by the industry/stakeholders.
The highlights of the recommendations by TRAI in relation of the SRR in 77-81 GHz band are:
- The Frequency range 77-81GHz should be opened for authorisation and assignment-exempt operations of automotive radar systems in India.
- Technical parameters given in the Table 1 of the ITU’s Recommendation ITU-R M.2057-1 (01/2018) on ‘System characteristics of automotive radars operating in the frequency band 76-81 GHz for intelligent transport system applications’ should be adopted for authorisation and assignment-exempt operations of automotive radar systems.
- Applications of 77-81GHz band should be used for short-range vehicular radar (SRR)
Benefits of de-licensing 77 – 81GHz frequency band in India:
De-licensing the 77–81 GHz will help the Indian automotive industry to become more competitive in the export market/ leading to the economic growth Sensors operating in this frequency band will help in achieving high resolution and range/more reliable and accurate in addition to the safety.
Industry is now waiting to hear DoT’s decision based on the Authority’s recommendation since August 2024. We seek your comments for the use of this band for Short-Range Vehicular Radar in India as this band is already permitted for use of automotive radars in the USA, Japan, Europe and many other countries.
