Telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Idea, have opposed separate service authorisation for Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, particularly where such communication could be enabled through existing licensed telecom networks (through cellular networks or through localised road-side infrastructure deployed for intelligent transport and road-safety applications).

In a submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the telcos said that the regulatory framework for spectrum assignment for V2I/C-V2X services should be based on licensed, interference-protected and IMT-integrated use of the 5.9 GHz band, rather than a fragmented or licence-exempt model.

Reliance Jio said, “...that spectrum should be assigned only through auction to access service providers and to authorised V2I entities, in case the authorisation is implemented. The entire spectrum range from 5875-5925 MHz should be harmonised for IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) services and made available through auction in blocks of 5 MHz.”

Telcos argued that India’s V2X ecosystem should be built on licensed spectrum integrated with existing 4G/ 5G IMT networks, so that deployments are secure, scalable, interoperable and capable of meeting stringent safety and quality-of-service requirements.

“All safety-critical V2X communications, particularly those intended to reduce road accidents and fatalities, should operate only over licensed and interference-protected spectrum,” Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said.

Last week businessline reported that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will mandate V2V deployment in vehicles.

MoRTH is working with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the government is expected to de-license the 5.875-5.925 GHz spectrum band, which can be used for V2V communications.

COAI told TRAI said that as V2X communication services rely on dedicated spectrum to enable safety-critical and intelligent transportation applications, it is imperative that such assignment ensures optimal utilisation, robust regulatory oversight and interference protection. Therefore, a licensed framework will enable coordinated deployment and strengthen spectrum management.

“Furthermore, V2X communication must not be perceived as a narrow, standalone short-range service. It should be recognised as an integrated, layered communications ecosystem encompassing Vehicle-to-Network (V2N), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), and Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) functionalities,” COAI said.

These modes operate in a complementary and interoperable manner, collectively forming the backbone of a resilient, future-ready intelligent transportation framework, it said.

The telcos also said in case the Authority decides to implement a new V2I authorisation, its security, financial and regulatory obligations should be as per access services authorisation and in case V2I authorisation is given at city level, the spectrum assignment should be through lease and network slicing.

Published on June 9, 2026