TRAI initiates consultation on spectrum norms for wireless communication from vehicles

Telecom regulator Trai has released a consultation paper on spectrum allocation and pricing norms for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, a step towards enabling autonomous and connected cars in India.

New Delhi: Telecom regulator Trai on Thursday floated a consultation paper to explore spectrum allocation and pricing norms for wireless communication from vehicles– a move that will pave the way for the introduction of autonomous or self-driven cars in India.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to provide suggestions on a regulatory mechanism comprising spectrum assignment, authorization and pricing for roadside units that will be put in place as part of proposed intelligent transport system as well as any other relevant recommendation on the subject.

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“A consultation paper on the Regulatory Framework for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication has been placed on TRAI’s website. Written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by May 28, 2026 and counter-comments by June 11, 2026,” Trai said.

DoT, telecom industry body COAI, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), chip company Qualcomm, technology firm Idemia, etc., are part of the task force constituted by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the country, with specific focus on Vehicle to Everything (V2X).

“V2X enables vehicles to wirelessly exchange real-time information with every relevant element of their environment. This includes other vehicles (V2V), roadside infrastructure such as traffic signals and toll booths (V2I), vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists (V2P), and the broader cellular network (V2N),” Trai said.

The DoT has already agreed to provide 30 MHz spectrum (5875-5905 MHz) for the initial deployment of C-V2X (cellular-V2X) technology, while the remaining 20 MHz (5905-5925 MHz) may be reserved for future ITS applications.

The rollout of the intelligent transport system (ITS) is also expected to reduce road accidents, improve traffic management, optimise infrastructure etc.

According to data published by Trai, approximately 92 per cent of road accidents are often attributed to failures in human recognition like driver disregard, insufficient surveillance, drivers’ distraction and human decision mistakes such as too fast driving, delayed reactions, and misjudging of the safety distance.

The paper said that even with the development of various safety-oriented techniques in vehicles, such as anti-locking braking systems (ABS), seatbelts, airbags, and rear-view cameras etc., many people die annually from road traffic accidents.

“By allowing vehicles to exchange real-time information, such as location, speed, and status, C-V2X (cellular-V2X) enables advanced safety applications like collision avoidance, intersection management, and emergency vehicle warning systems. This technology has the potential to greatly reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the road,” Trai said.