5G Launch in India

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Theme : Technological Advancement

GS - 3

• 5G or the fifth generation is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution (LTE) of mobile broadband networks.

• 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything including machines, objects, and devices.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Context

2. What is 5G Technology

3. Salient Features of 5G

4. Global Situation

5. 5Gi Technology Network

6. Opportunities with 5G

7. Issues with 5G

8. Road Ahead

Context: October 1, 2022, marks rolling out of 5G for users after months of testing.Prime Minister inaugurated the commercial rollout of 5G services in India at the India Mobile Congress 2022.

What is 5G Technology

• 5G or the fifth generation is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution (LTE) of mobile broadband networks.

• 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything including machines, objects, and devices. 

• It’s a unified platform that is much more capable than previous mobile services with more capacity, lower latency, faster data delivery rate and better utilization of spectrum.

• It mainly works in 3 bands, namely low, mid and high-frequency spectrum — all of which have their uses as well as limitations.

Salient Features of 5G:

• Speed: With a peak delivery rate of up to 20 Gbps and an average of 100Mbps, it will be much faster as compared to its predecessors. The speed increment is partly achieved by using higher-frequency radio waves than in previous networks.

• Capacity: There will be up to 100x increase in traffic capacity and network efficiency.

• Spectrum usage: This will provide better usage for every bit of spectrum, from low bands below 1 GHz to high bands.

• Latency: It’s expected to have lower latency with better instantaneous, real-time access of the data. The 5G, like 4G LTE, also uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) but the new 5G NR (New Radio) air interface will enhance OFDM and provide better flexibility in data delivery.

Global Situation:

• In countries like the US, some companies have taken the lead when it comes to rolling out commercial 5G for their users.

• China and the United States are significantly ahead of other nations in their 5G rollout, with a combined 652 cities in which 5G is available.

5Gi Technology Network:

• 5Gi is a locally designed telecommunication network that has been designed by IIT Hyderabad, IIT Madras and the Center of Excellence in Wireless Technology.

• The technology developed by Indian institutions will be an alternative to the global 5G standards and has already got a thumbs up from the International Communication Unit.

• The main problem with global 5G technology is that the range of coverage goes down with an increase in frequency. This is where 5Gi steps in, as it provides a higher range at a lower frequency.

Opportunities with 5G:

• Entertainment and multimedia: 5G can provide 120 frames per second, high resolution and higher dynamic range video streaming without interruption. The audio-visual experience will be rewritten after the implementation of the latest technologies powered by 5G wireless. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality services will be better experienced over 5G.

• High-Speed mobile network: 5G will revolutionize the mobile experience with the supercharged wireless network. 

• Internet of Things:  IoT applications collect a huge amount of data from millions of devices and sensors and thus require an efficient network for data collection, processing, transmission, control and real-time analytics which 5G network is a better candidate.

• Smart cities: Smart city applications like traffic management, Instant weather update, local area broadcasting, energy management, smart power grid, smart lighting of the street, water resource management, crowd management, emergency response etc can use a reliable 5G wireless network for its functioning.

• Smart farming: 5G technology will be used for agriculture and smart farming in the future. Using smart RFID sensors and GPS technology, farmers can track the location of livestock and manage them easily. Smart sensors can be used for irrigation control, access control and energy management.

• Better Governance: Better speed and connectivity would reduce red tapism. It will enhance the speedy completion of projects and better implementation of policies. It will enable accountability in the system through a better monitoring system and will reduce corruption.

• Employment generation: 5G wireless technology will open greater opportunities for new device manufacturers and application developers. 

• Enhanced Security: 5G wireless technology is one the best solution for security surveillance due to its higher bandwidth and unlicensed spectrum. 

• Industrial Growth: Future industries will depend on smart wireless technologies like 5G and LTE advanced for efficient automation of equipment, maintenance, safety, tracking, smart packing, shipping, logistics and energy management.

• Agricultural applications: 5g technology can be used for agriculture and smart farming in the future. Using smart RFID sensors and GPS technology, farmers can track the location of livestock and manage them easily. Smart sensors can be used for irrigation control, access control and energy management.

• Healthcare and mission-critical applications: 5G technology will support medical practitioners to perform advanced medical procedures with a reliable wireless network connected to another side of the globe. 

Issues with 5G:

• Financial liability on consumers: For a transition from 4G to 5G technology, one has to upgrade to the latest cellular technology, thereby creating financial liability for consumers.

• Enabling critical infrastructures: 5G will require a fundamental change to the core architecture of the communication system. The major flaw of data transfer using 5G is that it can’t carry data over longer distances.

• Capital Inadequacy: Lack of flow of cash and adequate capital with suitable telecom companies (like Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea) is delaying the 5G spectrum allocation.

• Frequency allocation: Indian operators have far less spectrum in comparison to international operators. The high investment cost makes telecom companies unsure about Return on Investment.

• Pricing: The 5G spectrum is overpriced by at least 30% to 40% compared to international standards and auctions in other markets such as South Korea and the U.S. 

• Network investment: In India, the telecom sector is facing capital augmentation issues that need to be resolved. Non-availability of funds for investment: Many Indian operators are also weighed down by debt.

• Regulatory restrictions will be there.

Road Ahead:

• Funds should be allocated and local technology and telecom firms should be incentivized to develop their internal capacities which would in turn help 5G technology succeed in the country.

• 5G start-ups that enable this design and manufacturing capabilities should be promoted. This will spur leaps in the coverage, capacity, affordability and density of wireless networks.

FAQs:

Q1 What is 5G Technology?

Answer- 5G or the fifth generation is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution (LTE) of mobile broadband networks.5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything including machines, objects, and devices. 

Q2 What is the 5Gi Technology Network?

Answer- 5Gi is a locally designed telecommunication network that has been designed by IIT Hyderabad, IIT Madras and the Center of Excellence in Wireless Technology.