Indian Telcos Seek Commercial Auction for V2X Spectrum Amid Safety Concerns
India's major telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, are advocating for the commercial auction of the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) spectrum, opposing a separate licensing process. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is consulting on a new V2X framework, proposing the allocation of 30 MHz of 5.9GHz-band spectrum for initial deployments. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) argues that V2X services should be treated like traditional mobile spectrum, citing efficiency and cost concerns. However, this stance is contested by groups like the Broadband India Forum and the 5G Automotive Association, which emphasize the public safety benefits of V2X technology and advocate for a shared, non-exclusive spectrum allocation to expedite deployment.