India making big strides in its 5G deployment journey

The implementation of the 5G network in India has been exceptionally impressive, propelling the nation into the top tier globally with one of the most extensive 5G infrastructures. This remarkable achievement underscores one of the swiftest telecommunications network deployments in history, firmly establishing India as a prominent player in the 5G arena, with download speeds surpassing those of many advanced markets.

Integral to this success has been the pivotal role played by the Indian government, which has facilitated the 5G rollout by allocating spectrum to telecom operators at competitive rates and streamlining licensing procedures. Furthermore, the government has incentivized investment in 5G infrastructure by providing subsidies and tax benefits to telecom operators, thereby bolstering the nation's progress in embracing this transformative technology.

While India is making big strides in 5G, the deployment of 5G technology in India is expected to have a profound impact on various sectors, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and agriculture. With trials and infrastructure development underway, the 5G network will enable the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, and real-time analytics, leading to improved quality of service delivery and aiding in innovation.

The 5G ecosystem is being built upon the existing 4G infrastructure while simultaneously introducing new elements. While this approach allows for a smoother transition to 5G technology, it also leverages the groundwork laid by 4G.

The Indian government and private sector are actively working to upgrade existing networks to support 5G technology. Besides, the Indian government had also been working on formulating policies and regulations to facilitate the deployment of 5G networks, which includes spectrum allocation, pricing, and guidelines for telecom operators. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been instrumental in creating an enabling environment for 5G. Their efforts to facilitate spectrum auctions and formulate relevant policies have been commendable.

The two largest operators in India, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel, are rapidly expanding 5G networks after they initially launched this technology in October 2022, while financially-troubled Vodafone Idea is still working to be in a position to launch 5G in the coming months. While Airtel has claimed its 5G offering to be available across all districts in India, rival telco Jio’s 5G network already reaches over 7,700 towns and cities.

Says Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India, “MediaTek has been at the forefront of the 5G revolution since 2019, when we announced our first 5G chipset, the MediaTek Dimensity 1000. Since then, we have adopted a comprehensive approach towards 5G product development, with our technologies being leveraged throughout our product lines including smartphones, smart home devices and automotive.”

MediaTek’s business objectives and strategies have been in sync with 5G technology over the last few years and its present range of 5G offerings encompasses the MediaTek Dimensity series and specialized 5G-focused platforms, including 5G modem solutions tailored for Data Cards, Fixed Wireless Access, and Mobile Hotspot CPE Devices.

“Entering 2024, we expect our 5G portfolio to grow robustly as we continue focusing on newer and more innovative 5G use cases, thereby offering customers access to the transformative technology across a variety of smart device segments. 5G is unlocking potent opportunities for businesses across industries and we are collaborating with a bevy of market leaders to remain at the forefront of this revolution,” says Anku Jain.

Rajnish Gupta, VP & Head, India and Sub-Continent business, Zebra Technologies APAC too echoes a similar belief. “The 5G era is here, with India becoming one of the top three countries with the largest 5G installed base in the world today. 5G technology will also be extensively used by first responders and emergency services such as police, ambulance and fire services under Dial 112 and Dial 108 projects. However, it will take time for the full buildout of the 5G network because enterprises regardless of their sizes will first need to migrate from their existing 4G devices before they can fully maximise this next generation technology.”

Today, mobility is a cornerstone technology in almost every business. Mobile devices help workers get more done in a day, as they can execute tasks faster and with greater accuracy. Retail associates can better assist shoppers, while manufacturers can take production volumes and product quality to the next level. Warehouse operators can ensure every customer receives the right items in the right order on time, while nurses can provide patients with faster care. “Zebra has the right 5G-enabled devices and solutions that can empower enterprises to achieve greater results and efficiency, by simply providing them with the mobility and connectivity they need,” he says.

However, despite the potential benefits, there are several challenges that India faces in rolling out 5G like development of Use Cases, High Spectrum Prices, Fiberisation and Backhaul Capacity. The successful deployment of 5G in India will depend on addressing these challenges through dedicated R&D investments, enterprise penetration, device affordability, and consumer adoption.

As India basks in the success of this technological leap, it is essential to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation to fully realize the potential of 5G and overcome the obstacles it faces.