Trai wants 5 MHz spectrum in premium 700 MHz band for Indian Railways

The Railways had urged the telecom department to reserve 15 MHz of spectrum in 700 MHz band

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday suggested that the Indian Railways be given 5 megahertz (MHz) of the premium 700 MHz spectrum band, a third of the quantity sought by the transporter.

Trai said the spectrum may be assigned on an administrative basis, for captive use only and not to offer any commercial services such as Wi-Fi onboard. The 700 MHz spectrum has high indoor penetration. Of the 35 MHz (paired) spectrum available in 700 MHz band, 5 MHz (paired) spectrum may be allocated to the Railways for implementing modern signaling system, Internet of Things-based asset monitoring services,