Way leaves, rights of way and ducting policies for 5G mobile network deployment in India using international best practices
Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance
ISSN: 2398-5038
Article publication date: 18 December 2023
Issue publication date: 30 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to draw lessons for telecommunications (telecom) network deployment in India, from a study of policy and regulatory approaches taken by other federal administrations in streamlining processes for site clearances, grant of rights of way (RoW) and approvals for local infrastructure deployment and sharing. With the urgent need for setting up small cells and rapid fiberisation of networks in the 5G era, the importance of such processes has gained prominence.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt qualitative thematic content analysis with three-tier coding and classification to identify themes in archival and current documentary data and information obtained from subject-matter experts in the countries studied.
Findings
Formulation and implementation of telecom policy is led by national governments. However, national telecom administrations, in recognition of new needs, have co-opted states and local authorities as partners in development of telecom networks, providing the overall framework, guidance and appropriate incentives where required.
Practical implications
This cooperative model could work well in India, where telecom policy making and regulation is the prerogative of the central government, but administration of RoW and local clearances for cable laying, tower siting and associated infrastructure activities for expanding telecom networks are left to decentralised decision-making in the states and local bodies.
Originality/value
This research attempts to sytematise, thematise and draw cross-country comparisons to inform regulatory and administrative policy for 5G infrastructure rollout in India.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this paper.
Limitations of the study and possible future research: This research is based on comparisons drawn from a limited sample of federal states and federations of sovereign states. The applicability of the measures in the Indian context could be corroborated through a survey of expert stakeholder opinion within the country.
Declaration of conflicting interests: The authors declare that they have no existing or potential conflicting interests with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this paper.
Citation
Mitra, A., Sridhar, V. and Sarangi, G.K. (2024), "Way leaves, rights of way and ducting policies for 5G mobile network deployment in India using international best practices", Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 153-168. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-03-2023-0037
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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