DoT orders vacation of 5G spectrum band

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has instructed operators to vacate spectrum in the 3300MHz-3400MHz range by the end of September this year, so that the airwaves can be used for 5G services. The Economic Times cites a notice from the regulator as saying that affected licence holders – including telcos Bharti Airtel and Tata Communications as well as oil and gas firms Indian Oil Corporation and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) – could apply to the DoT’s Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) division for spectrum in other bands currently being used for internet services such as the 2700MHz-2900MHz and 5GHz ranges. A spokesperson for Airtel noted that the company had already surrendered its holdings in the band.