The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday announced it has started pilot testing of the use of street furniture for small cells and aerial fibre deployment at Bhopal Smart City, GMR International Airport New Delhi, Deendayal Port Kandla and Namma Metro Bengaluru ahead of the 5G spectrum auction that starts on July 26 (tomorrow).
Telecom service providers like Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone ldea and BSNL are participating in the pilot testing at different locations. These pilots will be very helpful to make cross-sectoral infrastructure more accessible for the quick rollout of the 5G networks for telcos, post allotment of 5G frequencies by DoT, according to TRAI.
With the deployment of 5G small cells over street furniture by telcos under TRAI pilot, Deendayal Port Kandla and GMR International Airport New Delhi have become the first port and airport, respectively, in the country to test 5G readiness. At Namma Metro Bengaluru, MG Road Metro station was selected as the main station to target 5G coverage at road level, in its concourse area, platform and tracks on both sides.
"Alter radiation of 5G outdoor small cells at the station, Namma Metro has become the first Metro rail system in India to test 5G readiness," TRAI said in a release.
For each pilot, a working group has been constituted by TRAI. Significant progress has been achieved in the pilots in a short time with the active support
from working groups included officers from TRAI Regional Offices, BMRCL, Deendayal Port Authority, Bhopal Smart City, GMR, Ministry of Housing &
Urban Affairs, Department of Telecommunications, Telecom Service Providers (TSP) and Infrastructure Providers.