In-Depth- Impact of 5G on India | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The 5G technology standard is the next generation of wireless communication, connecting people, businesses, machines, and devices. Its remarkable features, such as ultra-low latency, high multi-Gbps data speed, massive bandwidth and network capacity, and improved reliability and availability, make it stand out from other mobile networks in India and other parts of the world.

5G Benefits

• 5G technology will transform the mobile experience, as consumers can download data-heavy content like 8K movies and games with better graphics in just a few seconds. 
• However, users will need to replace their current devices with 5G-enabled ones once 5G becomes commercially available. Besides, the government panel predicts that 5G technology will expand wireless technology usage beyond personal mobile devices, covering new sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, finance, and social sectors.
• The report further emphasizes that earlier mobile technology generations (2G, 3G, and 4G) will still be in use, and it may take more than ten years to phase them out.

Various field Applications of 5G Network:

• One of the primary uses of 5G will be implementing a network with embedded sensors that can provide real-time information in manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer durables. 5G can also make transport infrastructure smarter, facilitating communication between vehicles and infrastructure and enabling driverless cars.
• 5G's low latency, which is under a millisecond, is crucial for mission-critical applications. It uses millimeter waves for transmission, providing higher bandwidth and faster data rates compared to lower LTE bands.
• 5G is the most suitable technology for the Internet of Things because it is flexible, has available unused spectrum, and offers low-cost deployment solutions. IoT applications will generate vast amounts of data from sensors and devices, requiring an efficient network for collection, processing, transmission, control, and real-time analytics.
• The healthcare industry must integrate its operations with a powerful network. 5G will drive the healthcare industry with smart medical devices, Internet of Medical Things, intelligent analytics, and high-definition medical imaging technologies.

Challenges present to adapt to 5G are

• Frequency Allocation: Indian telecom operators have significantly less spectrum compared to international operators. This makes them uncertain about the return on investment due to the high cost of investment. Moreover, India is behind in technology compared to other countries.
• Network Investment: The telecom sector in India is facing capital augmentation issues that need to be resolved. Many Indian operators are burdened with debt, which limits their availability of funds for investment.
• Regulatory Restrictions: Introducing new technology quickly while previous technology investments have not yet been recouped poses further complexity due to regulatory restrictions.
• Technical Challenges: Creating an IT architecture that can be deployed globally while also allowing for localized technology to cater to different regions is a challenge.

Way forward for India

• It is necessary to align Digital India with 5G technology and strengthen our cyber infrastructure. Incentivizing the design and manufacture of 5G technologies, products, and solutions in India can help the country succeed in implementing 5G.
• Funds should be allocated to local technology and telecom firms to help them develop their internal capacities, which will also promote the generation of intellectual property rights backing the designs. Start-ups promoting 5G design and manufacturing capabilities should also be promoted.
• Manufacturing 5G chipsets may require significant investments. Test-beds and technology platforms must be appropriate to help the Indian technical ecosystem gain an advantage in 5G.
• It is necessary to accelerate the deployment of next-generation ubiquitous ultra-high broadband infrastructure, with 100% coverage of 10 Gbps across urban India and 1 Gbps across rural India. Optimizing coverage, reliability, and scalability is critical, and seamless mobile networks will require a unified management policy to ensure consistent standards.