5G network slicing and TRAI’s new rule: Why did a huge battle break out in the telecom sector?

As the 5G rollout in India expands, a new and sharp technical dispute has arisen between the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the country’s leading private telecom companies—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi). The main center of controversy is the new draft rules issued by TRAI regarding 5G Network Slicing and Quality of Service (QoS).

The regulator in its new proposal has set a mandatory condition that if the radio resource utilization on a 5G mobile cell (tower) exceeds 80 percent, then the companies may have to stop their premium ‘fast-lane’ 5G slicing service in that area.

TRAI says that this strict step has been taken to protect the speed and quality of internet of common smartphone users, so that telecom companies do not slow down the data of the general public in order to give priority to rich or corporate customers. However, Jio, Airtel and Vi have come together and demanded immediate withdrawal of this 80% limit, calling it technically flawed, impractical and against the basic terms of the spectrum auction.

To understand this entire controversy, it is important to understand the basic technology of 5G. One of the newest features of 5G networks is ‘network slicing’. Through this, telecom companies can create different virtual ‘slices’ from the same physical network and tower. For example, one slice may be for general mobile users, while another premium slice may be reserved for specific services (such as online gaming, VIP customers, hospitals or automated vehicles) that require ultra-low latency and guaranteed superfast speeds without interruption.

To control this technology, TRAI Physical Resource Block (PRB) The scale of utilization has been decided:

• PRB is the most basic unit of radio capacity that carries data between a mobile tower and a user’s device.

• According to TRAI’s proposed rules, if PRB is used during peak hours on any 5 days of the month in a 5G cell, more than 80 percent is recorded, the operator will have to immediately take steps to expand the capacity there.

• The number of such highly loaded cells should not exceed 1 percent in the entire service area (LSA).

• The most controversial condition is that if the operator is not able to remove the congestion from that cell within 30 days, then it will have to stop using the premium or priority 5G slice running on that tower. Shut Down This will have to be done unless the infrastructure is upgraded.

The three telecom operators have rejected this 80% limit in their responses to TRAI, both through the platform of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and individually:

• Airtel’s stance (improper exploitation of spectrum and unnecessary expenditure): Bharti Airtel said that more than 80% network utilization does not mean that customers are getting poor service. Modern 5G technology is designed to provide consumers with excellent download and upload speeds even at more than 90% load. Airtel argues that by imposing an artificial ceiling of 80%, companies will be forced to spend billions of rupees in setting up new towers even in those areas where customers are already completely satisfied with the service they are getting.

• Reliance Jio’s stance (operationally impossible and in conflict with regulations): Jio has termed the rule of stopping network slicing at the limit of 80% as ‘ridiculous and impossible on the ground’. Jio says that the traffic on any tower keeps changing from moment to moment. In such a situation, turning off slicing during a call or data session will completely disrupt the operation of the network. Jio also reminded that imposing such restrictions on the spectrum purchased by spending billions of dollars is a violation of the government’s ‘technology neutrality’ policy.

• Vodafone-Idea’s stance (question on technical understanding): Vi argued that network slicing was created so that traffic could be scientifically managed during busy and congested hours. When the load on the network is less, then every user naturally gets full speed. In such a situation, imposing an 80% ban on slicing is like killing the very purpose of this technology.

• Lack of international standards: Companies say that no telecom regulator in any developed country in the world has imposed such a stringent mandatory ceiling on network utilization; It is always considered a part of companies’ internal network planning.

Despite strong opposition from telecom companies, TRAI and public policy think tanks (like ‘The Dialogue’) stand strongly in support of this rule. Regulator’s biggest concern Net Neutrality And to protect the rights of ordinary mobile customers.

Recently, after the ‘Fastlane’ service launched by Airtel for postpaid customers and the 5G slicing partnerships being done by the companies with corporates, there was a fear that the companies will sell a large part of their spectrum to those who can pay more. If 70-80% capacity of a tower is reserved only for the premium slice, then the speed of ordinary prepaid or normal 5G users connected to the same tower will be worse than 4G.

TRAI believes that it is mandatory to leave a ‘buffer’ (empty space) of 20 percent so that emergency calls, normal internet browsing and data flow of normal consumers is not disrupted under any circumstances. Supporters argue that instead of removing congestion, companies are trying to monetize that congestion, to prevent which this 80% security wall is extremely important.

The controversy is not limited to the 80 percent limit only. TRAI has also proposed in its draft policy that if any telecom operator wants to launch a new 5G network slice or priority service in the market, it will be required to do so before launching it. at least 21 days ago Complete details of its network capacity and technical parameters will have to be submitted to the regulator.

Jio, Airtel and Vi have described this condition as a direct attack on their business interests. Companies say that in the highly competitive Indian telecom market, disclosing the technical details of any new and innovative product weeks in advance will destroy their commercial confidentiality. This will hamper the ability of companies to gain market share and will have to deal with red tape before introducing any new features.

Telecom industry experts assess that if TRAI does not soften its stand and implement the stringent 80% rule as it is, it will have a direct impact on the financial health of telecom companies and ultimately on the mobile bills of common consumers:

• Pressure for additional capital expenditure (Capex): Data consumption in India is the highest in the world. To stay within the 80% limit, companies will have to install millions of new 5G small cells, additional fiber backhaul and new towers. For this, companies will have to make additional investment of thousands of crores of rupees.

• Fear of increase in mobile tariff again: Telecom companies, already burdened with spectrum charges and AGR, may further increase the prices of 5G data plans in future to compensate for this additional infrastructure cost.

• Slow expansion of premium 5G: Due to stringent regulations, the pace of expansion of high-tech services like automation, smart cities and industrial 5G in India may slow down.

Currently, TRAI is reviewing the feedback and objections received from stakeholders. In the coming days, it will be interesting to see whether the regulator accepts the arguments of the telecom companies and relaxes this limit of 80%, or in the name of protection of common consumers, these strict rules are given the form of law.