TRAI Proposes Extra Spectrum Allocation to Enhance Safety for Indian Railways
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New Delhi, Dec 20 (NationPress) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday disclosed its recommendations regarding the provision of extra spectrum to Indian Railways for enhancing its safety and security measures.
As per the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Indian Railways has requested an additional 5 MHz of paired spectrum in the 700 MHz band, at no cost, to bolster its safety and security systems.
“In addition to the previously allocated 5 MHz (paired) frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band, an extra 5 MHz (paired) frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band should be assigned to Indian Railways for its safety and security applications along the railway tracks for captive use,” noted TRAI.
The telecom regulator emphasized that the DoT should promptly decide on its earlier recommendation to assess the feasibility of radio access network (RAN) sharing, suggesting that a field trial of RAN sharing via multi-operator core network (MOCN) be conducted by the Ministry of Railways, in collaboration with Indian Railways and NCRTC, overseen by the DoT.
Based on the field trial results, a decision regarding the execution of RAN sharing through MOCN in overlapping areas among Indian Railways, NCRTC, and other RRTS and Metro rail networks can be made.
“When assigning frequency spectrum to Indian Railways, the conditions of the frequency spectrum assignment should stipulate that if the field trial determines RAN sharing is feasible, Indian Railways shall implement RAN sharing via MOCN in overlapping areas with NCRTC and other RRTS/Metro rail networks, governed by DoT guidelines,” stated the Ministry of Communications.
It is essential to conduct spectrum harmonisation to allocate a continuous block of 10 MHz of frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz band to Indian Railways and an adjacent 5 MHz block to NCRTC and other RRTS/Metro rail networks.
Moreover, it should be ensured that minimal disruption occurs to the operational networks, as per the ministry.
“Spectrum charges for Indian Railways/NCRTC/other RRTS/Metro rail networks should be calculated based on the formula for Royalty Charges and License Fees for captive use, as outlined by the DoT,” according to the recommendations.
