The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has pitched for a larger share of mid-band spectrum in 6GHz contending that at least 1200 MHz of spectrum was needed to offer wide coverage and capacity and this will also help in cost-efficient and faster deployment of 5G.

The COAI, which represents the three private telecom service providers (TSPs) Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, has written to the telecom secretary on the matter.

The telecom group said on Monday that in the absence of the required additional mid-band spectrum, mobile networks will need to be substantially densified by increasing the number of base stations to deliver 5G data rate targets.

If TSPs do not do so, 5G download speeds will be reduced to 50 per cent if less spectrum is allocated in the 6 GHz band, or 80 per cent if only 700 MHz band is allocated.

With the National Broadband Mission targeting speeds up to 50 Mbps by 2024-25, the COAI recommends that the most optimal allocation for the country in the 6GHz band would be to identify the entire 5925-7125 MHz ie 1200 MHz spectrum in the 6 GHz band for mobile applications, it said.

Currently, only 720 MHz is available in the mid-band in India, it said. The Centre is in the process of deciding which sector to reserve the spectrum for. A panel formed under the wireless planning and co-ordination wing of the department of telecommunications is considering the issue.