This article discusses the ongoing development of 5G technology, with a particular focus on the Millimetre Wave (mm Wave) bands and their implications for the satellite industry. The issue caught media attention when the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA) expressed concerns over the Government’s proposed plan to include these bands in the 5G spectrum auction.
The Fifth Generation Technology: 5G
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network, a follow-up to its predecessors – 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. One defining characteristic of the 5G networks is their operation in the mm Wave spectrum. This new kind of network aims to connect everyone and everything universally – from machines to objects and devices.
5G primarily operates in three bands: low, mid, and high-frequency spectrum. Each of these bands has its unique advantages and limitations. The low band spectrum provides commendable coverage and speedy data exchange, but it’s limited to a maximum speed of 100 Mbps. The mid-band spectrum offers higher speeds than the low band but falls short in terms of coverage and signal penetration. The high-band spectrum boasts the highest speed among the three, although it has very confined coverage and weak signal penetration strength.
The Millimetre Wave Band
The mm Wave Band is a specific segment of the radio frequency spectrum, typically ranging between 24 GHz and 100 GHz. As the name implies, this spectrum features a short wavelength, making it ideal for delivering faster speeds and lower latencies. This characteristic makes data transfer more efficient and seamless, as current networks only work optimally at lower frequency bandwidths.
The importance of the mm Wave Band lies in its ability to provide a true 5G experience. While 5G services can utilise lower frequency bands to cover greater distances efficiently, these bands often fail to hit the required peak potential for data speeds. Hence, the mm Wave is a crucial piece of the 5G puzzle for mobile service providers.
Impacts on the Satellite Industry
The emergence of satellite-based communication service providers has added a new dimension to the internet industry. Mostly reliant on Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, these providers offer broadband services to both urban and rural users and can be used for weather predictions. However, the use of the mm band has been controversial due to its out-of-band emissions into the passive satellite band used for weather satellites at 23.6-24 GHz.
Concerns Raised by the Industry
SIA has expressed concern over the inclusion of mm Wave spectrum in the 5G auction, citing it as against International Telecommunication Union (ITU) norms. The industry body argued that the excessive offering of spectrum resources in the upcoming 5G auction could result in Indian citizens being denied the benefits of advanced satellite broadband services. They further posited that it could lead to an economic loss of up to USD 184.6 billion by 2030, along with a decrease in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and employment generation.
Suggestions from SIA
In light of these concerns, SIA suggested limiting the spectrum in the 3.3-3.67 GHz band to 330 MHz to meet India’s mid-band 5G needs while ensuring a competitive auction. The industry body also warned that offering excess spectrum could prompt the risk of the bands remaining unsold or underutilised by terrestrial players, thus affecting satellite-based service providers. They emphasised the critical need for allocation of the mm Wave band for the satellite communication industry and called on regulatory support to prevent any interference with their existing operations.
