New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Thursday congratulated Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for introducing “The Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules, 2022” along with the introduction of the 5G RoW application available on the GatiShakti Sanchar Portal.The portal offers an institutional platform for collaboration between all stakeholders, which includes Central and state/UT government(s), Central land-owning authorities (Railways and Defence) as well as local bodies and service providers to facilitate the Right of Way (RoW) applications and permit the installation of the digital infrastructure mobile towers as well as OFC in the nation.
“We are grateful for the DoT to have introduced the eagerly-awaited changes in the RoW Rules, 2016, with many positive elements for the telecom industry.As India is set to see the introduction of 5G technology, the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules 2022 will ensure the rapid deployment of this technology to ensure that the dream of 5G-enabled India is a reality,” COAI Director General Lieutenant.Gen.Dr.SP Kochhar (retd) said in an announcement.
“Access to existing infrastructure, the installation of new infrastructure and the high costs associated in it were the biggest hurdles that the telecom industry has always come across, and will be reduced,” he added.
The current Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules in 2016 had some issues that resulted in the absence of access to sufficient street furniture that could be deployed and the restrictions on the installation of small cells and towers near educational institutes airports, hospitals defense establishments, religious sites etc.
The Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules, 2022 will assist in the rapid expansion of digital infrastructures, the deployment of tiny cells, aerial fibre as well as street furniture.There is the provision for small cells electric poles, electric poles, and the ability to connect to street furniture and so on.This is a step towards the simple and seamless deployment of 5G networks.
The new changes in charges have been introduced, i.e., Rs 1,000 per km for Aerial OFC, 300 rupees per year for urban areas as well as Rs 150 per year for rural areas, per street furniture, and Rs 1,000 per pole for the construction of poles to install the small cells will be viewed as a huge relief.
Recently the Indian government sold 5G spectrum worth more than the amount of 1.50 lakh crore dominated by Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea and a unit of Adani Group.
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