India's Preparation for 5G: Infrastructure and Government Planning

India is poised to enter the 5G era, with plans to auction 5G licenses and deploy the technology across the country by 2020. This article delves into the current state of 5G readiness, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, government planning, and the expected impact on the telecom market.

Current State of 5G in India

As of now, India has not awarded licenses for 5G mobile standard. An auction is set to occur in the upcoming year, but operators like Jio are already upgrading their services using optical fiber cables to enhance network speed and durability. Meanwhile, companies have focused on advancing 4G services and enhancing their offerings, as seen in the recent merger of Vodafone and Idea.

Understanding 5G Technology

5G is not rocket science. It operates on fiber optic cables and dramatically increases internet speed, buffering, downloading, and uploading speeds. The government is planning to issue licenses, allocate profits, and manage political funding. However, there are concerns that the increased speed might be used to increase prices rather than reduce them or make them free for educational purposes.

Future of 5G in India

The 5th generation wireless systems or 5G will eventually replace 4G LTE. The 5G spectrum allocation in India is expected to start by the end of 2019, and it is anticipated to support download speeds more than 30 times faster than current 4G LTE networks. This technology is set to transform the telecom market in India and will be rolled out in major cities like Kolkata and Bangalore this year.

Government's Role in the 5G Rollout

India's government is playing a crucial role in the 5G rollout. They are determined to deploy 5G technology across the country by 2020. The initial rollout is expected in key cities, with the government planning to roll out 5G in more regions in the years to come.

4G in India

While 5G is on the horizon, 4G is still prevalent in India. With millions of users still on 2G, 4G remains a luxury for most. However, as infrastructure improves and more people upgrade to 4G, the transition to 5G will gradually become more feasible.

Jio's Readiness for 5G

Reliance Jio, India's largest telecom operator, is well-prepared for the new service. Its infrastructure is ready to support 5G, making it poised to lead the charge in the upcoming rollout. The rollout of 5G will significantly impact the telecom market, driving innovation and economic growth.

Conclusion

The transition to 5G in India is a significant step forward in the country's tech advancement. With the right infrastructure, government planning, and consumer awareness, 5G can bring substantial improvements in internet speed and services. The coming year is set to be a pivotal one for 5G in India.