In a significant move to boost innovation in the telecom sector, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued an advisory on Terahertz (THz) spectrum. The advisory introduces a new experimental authorization called the “Terahertz Experimental Authorization” (THEA) to facilitate research and development (R&D), technology testing, and marketing of experimental devices in the frequency range from 95 GHz to 3 THz.
Key features of THEA include provisions for indoor and outdoor testing, technology experiments, and demonstrations in specified spectrum ranges. The authorisation, which is available to a wide range of organisations including academic institutions, R&D laboratories, government agencies and telecom service providers, will be granted for an initial period of up to five years with the possibility of extension. The authorisation fee for THEA is Rs 1,000 for a period of up to five years.
A notable element of THEA is that it supports direct marketing of laboratory equipment operating within the specified frequency range. This provision is expected to spur development of new technologies by Indian entrepreneurs and academic institutions and play a key role in advancing the “Make in India” initiative.
In addition to THEA, TRAI has also recommended licensed and allocation-exempt operation in specific frequency bands such as 116-123 GHz, 174.8-182 GHz, 185-190 GHz, and 244-246 GHz. These bands are expected to provide enhanced capacity and reliability for various use cases and support the development and deployment of next-generation wireless technologies.
Additionally, TRAI has recommended opening up the 77-81 GHz frequency range for automotive radar systems. These systems are essential for vehicle safety applications like obstacle detection, collision warning, blind spot detection, etc. The move will bring similar technologies into compliance with international standards where they are already in use and is expected to significantly improve road safety in India.
By implementing these recommendations, TRAI aims to pave the way for technical feasibility of new technologies and services, ultimately stimulating growth and innovation in India’s telecom sector.
