The allocation will take place in the next 15 days and telcos could start the initial 5G run in June itself. The network trial licenses will be issued in a few days’ time. As of now, Jio is likely to partner with Samsung, Nokia with Airtel and VIL with Ericsson for the trial. The Department of Telecom so far has not taken any call on Chinese company Huawei if it will be part of the trial for any telecom services company. After 5G trial takes place, the spectrum auction comes up in October where telcos will be in a better position to judge the network requirements and shortcomings. By the time the telcos start the trial, it may be July-August, they said. If this is the tentative timeline of 5G trial, then spectrum auction may take place September onwards, the sources added.
