The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday released recommendations on ‘Spectrum Requirements of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for Train Control System for RRTS Corridors.’

As per the salient features of the recommendations, 5 MHz (paired) spectrum in 700 MHz band can be assigned to NCRTC for use in RRTS corridors along the railway tracks. The frequency spectrum to be assigned to NCRTC, will be adjacent to the frequency spectrum assigned to Indian Railways in the 700 MHz band.

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The frequency spectrum assigned to the NCRTC may also be assigned to other RRTS or metro rail networks, which are geographically separated and not likely to cause any interference to one another.

To ascertain the feasibility of assigning the same frequency spectrum (assigned to NCRTC and other RRTS/ Metro rail network) to the telecom service providers on non-interference basis, a field trial may be conducted involving the Ministry of Railways and the telecom service providers, under the supervision of DoT.

To ascertain the feasibility of RAN sharing, a field trial of RAN sharing through MOCN may be conducted by the Ministry of Railways involving IR and NCRTC, under the supervision of DoT.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through its letter dated 29.11.2021 had sought TRAI to furnish its recommendations on administrative assignment of spectrum to NCRTC and the quantum, pricing/charging thereof and any other terms and conditions, for separate spectrum requirements of NCRTC in 700 MHz band and any other recommendations deemed fit for the purpose, including assignment of the same spectrum for other RRTS/Metro rail network pan-India.

In this regard, a consultation paper on ‘Spectrum Requirements of NCRTC for Train Control System for RRTS Corridors’ was issued on June 9. Comments from 20 stakeholders and counter comments from 1 stakeholder were received. An Open House Discussion (OHD) was held on August 25 through virtual mode.

Based on the comments received from the stakeholders and its own analysis, TRAI has finalized its Recommendations on ‘Spectrum Requirements of National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) for Train Control System for RRTS Corridors.’