Reliance Jio has reportedly approached the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the lab testing of its in house developed 5G products, according to a Financial Express report. The lab testing would be limited to Jio if granted with everything being done by Jio itself.
The teleco can test its products in its controlled environment once the permission is granted. FE reports that the application was sent in by Jio few weeks ago with DoT yet to take a call on the 5G trials as of now.
The lab trials don’t need spectrum allocation compared to live field trials but permission is need for spectrum use and importing of 5G equipment. DoT is the nodal authority which grants such licenses for import and spectrum use.
Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea had also filed for 5G trials but DoT hasn’t yet given the nod to any operator. The work has further been stalled by the pandemic as DoT was expected to start trials in March-April. Jio is reported to have applied five times for the 5G trials.
