In news- The Ministry of Communications to undertake demand studies for direct assignments of spectrum to Enterprises setting up Captive Non-Public Networks/ also known as private 5G networks.
What are Captive Non-Public Networks(CNPNs)?
- These networks are typically set up by an enterprise or organisation like factories for their private use and are not accessible to the general public.
- They can play a key role in developing industries by providing secure, ultra-reliable, low latency and high throughput communication using advanced technologies.
Guidelines for CNPNs license-
- The DoT had issued these guidelines in June 2022 with an aim to set up a regulatory framework for CNPNs.
- The guidelines provide that the enterprises seeking to establish CNPN may obtain spectrum on lease from Telecom Service Providers or directly from DoT.
- These guidelines also provide that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will undertake demand studies for direct assignments of spectrum to Enterprises setting up CNPNs.
- DoT has now launched a module on Saral Sanchar portal for carrying out the demand studies.
- Enterprises having net-worth more than Rs. 100 Crores and willing to set up CNPNs by obtaining spectrum directly from DoT are invited to participate in this exercise.
- The norms call for enterprises wanting to obtain spectrum directly from the government to take a 10-year renewable licence, for which the government won’t charge any licence fee.
- On the scope of the CNPN licence for enterprises, the DoT said such a licensee may establish indoor or within premise isolated captive non-public network for own use within the areas of operation of licence.
- The guidelines allow technology companies to de-facto become service providers and compete with Telecom Service Providers(TSPs) in the enterprise connectivity space.
Source: PIB
