What if a car could see a braking vehicle around a blind corner, or know a traffic light will turn red before it comes into view? That is the promise behind Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has begun work on the rules that could enable it. On Thursday, the regulator released a consultation paper seeking stakeholder views on how such communication systems should be governed, from spectrum allocation to technology standards and market structure.
The move follows a reference from the department of telecommunications (DoT) in December 2025, asking Trai to recommend a regulatory mechanism. The objective is to put in place a framework before deployments scale, avoiding fragmented standards and ensuring systems work across vehicles, cities and networks.
At its core, V2X is about vehicles communicating not just internally but externally – with other vehicles, road infrastructure, pedestrians’ devices and cloud networks. That marks a shift from the connected features currently available in premium cars. Models from brands such as Mercedes-Benz or BMW already offer advanced driver assistance and Internet-enabled services, but these largely rely on onboard sensors, cameras and in-car connectivity. V2X extends that capability by allowing vehicles to exchange real-time signals with their surroundings, including hazards beyond line of sight.
The consultation places the technology choice at the centre of the debate. Trai has asked whether India should adopt cellular-based V2X, which runs on 4G and 5G networks, or allow multiple technologies to coexist. It has also raised the question of spectrum, particularly whether a portion of the globally used 5.9 GHz band should be allocated, and if so, whether it should be licensed to telecom operators or kept open to encourage broader participation.
Global approaches offer contrasting templates. The United States had initially backed a Wi-Fi-like system known as DSRC but has since moved towards reallocating spectrum and exploring cellular alternatives. Europe and China, by contrast, are leaning more decisively towards cellular V2X, integrating it with 5G roll-outs and smart city infrastructure. China has already piloted V2X-enabled corridors in cities such as Shanghai and Wuxi, where vehicles interact with traffic signals and roadside units in real time.
Trai’s paper also examines who should provide these services. One model positions telecom operators at the centre, particularly if cellular V2X is adopted, while another allows automakers and infrastructure providers to deploy independent systems. The regulator has asked whether existing telecom licences are sufficient or if a new category of authorisation is needed.
Safety and governance issues form a key part of the consultation. V2X communication would carry safety-critical messages, making protection against interference or spoofing essential. The paper seeks views on liability frameworks in case of failures and on how data generated by vehicles should be managed, including questions of ownership, sharing and privacy.
Infrastructure requirements are another focus. Deployment would require roadside communication units, integration with traffic management systems and coordination with urban authorities. Trai has asked how these costs should be shared between public authorities, telecom operators and automakers, with industry indicating that a mix of public funding and private investment, potentially passed on partly to consumers, may be needed.
The consultation signals an attempt to build the underlying communication layer for connected mobility before the market scales. While fully autonomous vehicles remain some distance away in India, V2X is expected to underpin both near-term safety applications and longer-term automation. Stakeholders comments have been invited by May 28, with counter-comments due by June 11.