NEW DELHI: The government’s plans to use more spectrum to aid 5G rollout starting next year has hit a temporary roadblock, with the Department of Space (DoS) and the Indian Space Research Organisation Isro ) refusing to free up the 28 GHz band, the coveted spectrum for the next-generation wireless technology.The telecom department was hoping to deploy the 28 GHz band for future use in tandem with some of the advanced markets worldwide, in addition to the 3300-3600 MHz band suggested by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( Trai ). In fact, a high-level 5G Forum of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had sought radio waves in the 27.5-29.5GHz (28 GHz) range, which is considered critical in supporting high-capacity 5G-led applications in the country.The DoS “is not willing to even partially vacate the (28GHz) band, citing critical space operations,” said a person familiar with the matter. ISRO, on its part, has also objected, saying it wants to protect terrestrial systems in the 28GHz band.In a March 19 meeting of the Standing Committee on Spectrum Policy for 5G, chaired by DoT additional secretary Anshu Prakash, Isro representatives expressed reservations about vacating the band, arguing it had already conveyed its stance to the wireless planning and coordination wing (WPC), which is responsible for allocating spectrum for commercial use, the person familiar with the matter said.“We are looking at 24.25-27.5 GHz and 27.5-29.5 GHz. Some co-existence issues with satellite system need to be thrashed out, which I am sure can be addressed,” Abhay Karandikar, director, IIT Kanpur and one of the core members of the high-level 5G Forum, told ET, admitting to the issues faced.The Isro representatives had also argued that the 28GHz band has not been identified for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) for 5G use and was not an agenda item for 2019 discussions. Isro is also against vacating the 25 MHz that it holds in the 3300-3600 Mhz band, which Trai has recommended for 5G services.DoT official, however, counters that since the band was not identified for the World Radiocommunication Conference or WRC-19 deliberations when the agenda was finalised by the International Telecommunications Union in 2015, the 28GHz band would have an advantage when clubbed together with the 26GHz band for 5G services.