5G technology in India
India being the 5th largest economy in the world has not yet launched the 5G technology. As for 5G in India, Airtel already has 5G ready technology. Jio has also announced that they will be ready to deploy 5G technology in the second half of 2021. Before we start the article we have to understand what is 5G network? Basically, 5G is the 5th generation of mobile data networks. 5G is the new globally accepted standard of telecom internet. The first generations that were launched were 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G which is still in use and now 5G which has been introduced in certain parts of the world.
What are the benefits of 5G networks?
- 5G wireless technology is built to deliver multi- Gbps speeds, ultra-low latency for zero lag, more reliable network strength and a huge network capacity.
- 5G is intended to provide a uniform user experience of data speeds to consumers using different networks.
- 5G has the capability to revolutionise the day regular folks look at mobile data and data speeds.
- 5G can enable even the most remote villages to get internet speeds that rival those of the best corporate Wi-Fi networks.
- Ultra-Low latency in 5G services (time taken by a network to respond) will help in improvement in the logistics and shipping sector and also reduces the overall cost of goods and services.
- 5G technology will open a new horizon of opportunity for new device manufacturers and application developers. Thus, more job opportunities will be created and it will help in the inclusive growth of the nation.
- 5G will provide enhanced Security: 5G will enhance security surveillance, better coordination among various agencies. The closed-circuit cameras will provide high–quality real-time video for security purposes.
- 5G will revolutionize Industrial Growth: The future of industries will greatly depend on smart technologies like 5G for efficient automation, safety, maintenance, tracking, smart packing, and energy management.
- 5G will improve Agricultural applications: 5g can be used for smart farming in the future. Such as combining smart RFID sensors and GPS technologies, farmers can track the location of livestock and manage them easily. Smart sensors can be used for irrigation control, access control and energy management.
- 5G will improve healthcare and mission–critical applications: Scientists are working on smart medical devices such as remote surgical machines, Smart medical devices, etc.
India and 5G
The government of India is planning a countrywide first launch of 5G in 2022 after the auction of 5G bands later in the year. Department of Telecommunication (DoT) in 2017 setup a 5G steering committee headed by AJ Paulraj. The committee submitted the report and suggest important steps. In 2018, India planned to start 5G services but it has not yet materialized.
All the private telecom players urged the DoT to lay out a road map of spectrum allocation and 5G frequency bands. The government for its part also working on creating a corpus of Rs 500 crore dedicated exclusively for the research and development of 5G technology in India.
Challenges behind 5G technologies to India
- Affordability of Spectrum: The rest of the world may already roll out 5G connectivity to its users but, in India, the 5G spectrum is yet to be allocated. The country’s 5G ecosystem is underdeveloped and has yet to be matured.
- Last-mile Connectivity: Catering to last-mile broadband connectivity in tier II, Tier III cities, and rural homes are challenging Since India lacks optical fiber infrastructure and greenfield deployment which has immensely affected Last-mile connectivity.
- Affordable 5G Devices: On the consumer front, even if 5G network connectivity comes in, affordable 5G devices are yet to take their place in the market. And also, mitigating existing 4G and 3G users to 5G networks and devices will pose a great challenge in front of industry veterans.
- Lack of Regulatory bodies in India’s Telecom sector: 5G implementation in India will not become a reality until there is a proper regulatory body that will develop the roadmap for 5G in India.
- Network Security and privacy: The data collection is another major concern for 5G users, practically all mobile applications demand user’s personal information during or before installation. Application developers rarely denote how and where they store that data and what they will use it for.
Tips to faster implementation of 5G in India
- India needs to introduce the spectrum policy to focus on incentivising heavy investment in 5G, including long-term support, and technology-neutral spectrum licences, instead of trying to look for reaping profits right away.
- India have to to create an ecosystem capable of leveraging 5G, like skilled manpower, technology, R&D and investment, etc.
- India has to work on Indigenous 5G technology. IoT platforms not only for military applications but also for civilians to avoid any 5G warfare and data threat in the future.
