5G is the fifth generation wireless technology. It can provide higher speed, lower latency and greater capacity than 4G LTE networks. That means quicker downloads, much lower lag and a significant impact on how we live, work and play. The connectivity benefits of 5G are expected to make businesses more efficient and give consumers access to more information faster than ever before.

 How 5G mobile network can help India transition

• 5G is poised to transform human life by giving faster download speeds and connectivity for billions of devices, especially in the sphere of virtual reality (VR), the internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI).
• 5G will further strengthen Digital India, Smart Cities and Smart Village missions for India. Moreover, on the back of the Make in India and Start-Up India missions, the country is optimistic about being known as a global player dynamically engaged in the design, development, and manufacturing of 5G based technology and products.
• Its use is a chance for Indian policy-makers to educate and empower citizens and businesses, and transform existing cities into smart and innovative cities. This may allow citizens and communities to get socio-economic benefits and comforts delivered by a well-advanced, more data-intensive, digital economy.
• Smart cities could use 5G for automotive safety, infrastructure, VR, and entertainment. In domestics use, 5G would change home internet service by providing a wireless modem alternative to existing wires.
• 5G networks offer to deliver significant social and economic benefits in India. Over the period 2023–2040, the experts forecast that 5G technologies will make a total contribution of approximately $450 billion to the Indian economy — 0.6% of GDP—by 2040.
• The Indian government aims to establish India as a global manufacturing hub with its ‘Make in India’ campaign; MSME is one of the sectors that will eventually benefit from adopting the 5G technology.
• Thus, 5G will allow for higher flexibility, lower cost, and shorter lead times. It is likely to provide the network to keep the manufacturing works connected in real-time with suppliers, customers etc, making them more innovative and significantly more efficient. Also, in the service industry, the technology will connect with speed and efficiency to serve customers online and further modernise the MSMEs.
• According to a report by a government-appointed commission, 5G is estimated to have a cumulative economic impact of USD1 trillion in India by 2035. (2018). It would provide India with a significant economic boost by increasing communication between machines and diverse industries, resulting in enhanced efficiency. Production will rise as well, resulting in massive income collections
• Broadly speaking, the uses of 5G in India may encompass enhanced outdoor and indoor broadband, the Internet of things, smart cities, smart agriculture, energy monitoring, remote monitoring, smart grids, telehealth, industrial automation, remote patient monitoring and industrial automation to name some of the areas. There is great potential for India to move to an advanced digital revolution.

Roadblocks

• In the medium term, 5G will not bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas; rather, it will widen it, as the economic case for 5G does not have maximal accessibility even in urban areas. As a result, it will be difficult to obtain in rural locations.
• Unlike 3G and 4G, which were ubiquitous, 5G will be a specialised service. It will become more intense over a longer length of time. The introduction of 5G technology will be different from that of 4G; it will be limited to select industries and places.
• Enabling Critical Infrastructures: 5G will necessitate a significant shift in the communication system’s underlying design. The main disadvantage of 5G data transport is that it cannot deliver data over longer distances. As a result, even 5G technology will need to be enhanced in order to enable infrastructure.
• Lack of cash flow and appropriate capital with suitable telecom companies (such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea) is causing the 5G spectrum distribution to be delayed.
• Given the history of high reserve prices established by governments for spectrum auctions with continuous fiscal deficits, government subsidies seem unlikely.
• The trial run of 5G in developed countries such as Japan and the United States reveals that the investment is very high, ranging from $6 million per small city to $60 million per large or densely populated city.
• Consumers are still dealing with basic network difficulties such as call drops and intermittent data services due to the inaccessibility of previous technology. There are still locations where 4G networks have not stabilised, resulting in frequent internet service outages. Before moving to a new 5G platform, it’s critical to match the quality of service standards of existing 4G networks.

Way forward

• Identifying end users and population to be covered, analysis of the existing network and operators, identification of cities for the 5G roll out, working out an investment model, and minimisation of the digital risk and pricing based on the externalities and usage of various sectors.
• Taking on the Spectrum Pricing Issue: Pricing will have to be determined in light of the sector’s financial difficulties and the affordability of services.
• Enabling India’s Manufacturing Sector: As 5G takes shape in India, it’s critical to strengthen the country’s domestic telecommunications manufacturing market so that not only users of 5G in India, but also manufacturers and providers of these technologies, can make a name for themselves in the global arena.
• It must become financially viable for extensive 5G rollout; else, rural integration will remain a pipe dream. In addition, telecom operators must be allowed to use 5G technology.
• Bridging the Rural-Urban Gap: 5G may be used in a variety of band spectrums, with the low band spectrum having a significantly longer range, which is beneficial to rural areas.
• Assistance from the government: The government has total control over the inputs. The band spectrum is one of the most important inputs for 5G. The government can regulate the price that people will pay by manipulating the spectrum design. The government will assist telecom businesses in building networks that are both sustainable and inexpensive to the general people.

As India has already witnessed digital revolution even in its remotest areas due to cost-effective 4G technology, the use of 5G can play a vital role in enhancing this sector and also facilitating India’s goal to emerge as a manufacturing and innovation hub. The negative implication of 5G is furthering the ‘digital divide’. Therefore, Government policies should also focus on affordable coverage through synchronisation of bandwidth.

How to structure:

1. Give an intro about 5G
2. Explain how 5G mobile network can help India transition to a more advanced digital revolution
3. Now mention what the roadblocks are and suggest measures
4. Mention any relevant schemes
5. Conclude

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-5g-leap-is-about-powering-tomorrow/article37330577.ece