A surge of disruptive opportunities has been sparked throughout the world as a result of the quick and broad adoption of 5G technology. India, one of the economies with the greatest growth rates in the world and a hive of technical innovation, is well-positioned to profit greatly from the adoption of 5G technology. The fifth generation of wireless technology, or 5G, is a substantial improvement over earlier generations. 5G is poised to revolutionize several industries and the way organizations run thanks to its promise of high-speed connection, low latency, and capacity for huge device connectivity. Autonomous cars, smart cities, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT) are a few of its transformational features. As India moves forward, the advent of 5G technology holds immense potential to propel the nation into a new era of growth and development.
One of the sectors that stand to benefit enormously from the introduction of 5G technology in India is manufacturing. With its high-speed and low-latency connectivity, 5G will facilitate real-time data transmission, enabling seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics. The convergence of technologies will improve operational effectiveness, decrease downtime, and eventually increase productivity through optimizing production processes. Moreover, 5G-enabled industrial Internet of Things (IoT) developments will support manufacturers with various capabilities like predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and smart supply chain management, bolstering India's position as a global manufacturing hub.
The healthcare sector in India, too, holds immense potential for transformation through the deployment of 5G technology. The ultra-fast speeds and low latency of 5G networks will enable real-time transmission of high-resolution medical images, remote surgical assistance, and remote patient monitoring. This breakthrough capability is particularly critical in a country like India, where access to quality healthcare remains a challenge, especially in remote and underserved areas. 5G-enabled telemedicine applications can bridge this gap, ensuring timely access to medical expertise and significantly improving healthcare outcomes for millions of people across the nation. 5G technology-enabled improvements in communication have enabled the accentuation of remote patient care through the introduction of ‘de Novo’ (from the beginning) modalities such as remote surgical care and robotic surgery. Facilities for supercomputing and blockchain development at higher standards could be a possible reality in institutions that could seek to adopt data-driven approaches in the day-to-day monitoring of patient care, resource utilization, and human resource performance as well as formulation of healthcare policy.
India's agriculture sector, a cornerstone of its economy and livelihood for millions, can experience a revolutionary shift through the implementation of 5G technology. By harnessing the power of 5G's massive device connectivity, precision agriculture techniques can be applied, leveraging real-time data on soil moisture, weather patterns, and crop health. Farmers will be empowered to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and adopt sustainable farming practices. The integration of 5G-enabled technologies like remote sensing, smart irrigation systems, and connected farm equipment will not only enhance agricultural productivity but also contribute to rural development and bolster India's food security.
In the coming time, transportation and urban planning in India can significantly transform with the advent of 5G technology. 5G technology with its high speed performance and low latency of network will support intelligent transportation systems, connected vehicles and the management of traffic in an efficient way.
Also, 5G-enabled smart city initiatives can promote sustainable urban development contributing to efficient energy management and increased citizen engagement.
5G technology is also going to impact the growing media and entertainment industry which is usually known for its creativity and vibrancy. 5G networks which have high-speed connectivity and low latency will enable numerous experiences such as high-definition video streaming, virtual reality (VR) gaming, and augmented reality applications. This will help to boost consumer experience along with new avenues for content creators, developers, and distributors to reach wider audiences and contribute to economic growth.
Some growth metrics in the telecom industry in 2022:
Total telephone connections rose to 117.02 crore in October 2022 from 93.30 crore in March 2014, with a growth of 25.42% during the period. The number of mobile connections reached 114.4 crore in October 2022.
The tele-density which was 75.23% in March 2014 reached 84.67% in October 2022.
Internet connections jumped from 25.15 crore in March 2014 to 83.69 crore in June 2022, registering a growth of 232%.
Broadband connections rose from 6.1 crore in March 2014 to 81.62 crore in September 2022 growing by 1238%.
Average revenue realization per subscriber per GB wireless data reduced to Rs. 10.29 in June 2022 from Rs. 268.97 in December 2014, a reduction of more than 96.17%.
Average monthly data consumption per wireless data subscriber increased by 266 times to 16.40 GB in June 2022 from 61.66 MB in March 2014.
In India, the 5G spectrum auction began on July 26 and concluded on August 1, with the government fetching a whopping US$ 18.30 billion (Rs. 1,50,173 crore) through the bids. The government had put 72 GHz of radio waves for sale across 10 bands, of which 71% have been sold. The spectrum bands that were put on sale include— low (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz), mid (3300 MHz), and high (26 GHz).
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio emerged as the winner of the bid across several spectrum bands including the covered 700 MHz band worth US$ 10.73 billion (Rs. 88,078 crore). Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel fetched the second spot after buying 19,867 MHZ airwaves worth US$ 5.25 billion (Rs. 43,084 crore). While beleaguered telecom company Vodafone-Idea Limited (VIL) bought spectrum worth US$ 2.28 billion (Rs. 18,784 crore), Adani Group bought spectrum bands worth US$ 25.8 million (Rs. 212 crore).
Advantages of 5G technology:
High Speed: The ability of 5G technology to operate more quickly on cellular and other devices is one of its main advantages. Contrary to its forerunners—2G, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE which required hours to download movies, videos, music, and streaming services. 5G technology makes these chores more simpler and downloads just take a few seconds. In addition, experts predict that the burgeoning global gaming market would benefit from 5G technology. With this technology, a typical user can access up to 20Gbps of the internet.
Latency: Its lower latency than its predecessors, which makes it simpler to handle other cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and virtual reality, is another important advantage of 5G technology. Additionally, it makes browsing easier and improves user experience because of its low latency.
Bandwidth: Data may be transported smoothly with increased bandwidth, improving device connectivity and user experience. By enabling seamless switching between wireless Wi-Fi devices and cellular devices, the technology also enhances performance. This is yet another advantage of 5G technology. Additionally, if there were fewer 5G towers, customer bandwidth would increase.
