5G telecom services were launch in India during the India Mobile Congress event in Delhi. Representatives from the three major telecom providers in the country, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone idea (Vi) were also present.
Following the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the three companies also reveale their initial plans concerning the 5G rollout in India.
Reliance and Airtel also launch 5G services in select cities.
But, Vi did not announce a specific timeline for the launch of its 5G services.
BSNL 5G in India
State-own telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) could launch 5G services on its network by August 2023, Union Minister of Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw said, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launch 5G services in select cities across India
Ashwini Vaishnaw said :
“BSNL should start rolling out 5G by August of next year. That way we will have a good three private player one public sector player ecosystem … of four competitors in the market”. He added that the tariff of 5G would remain such that “India would remain an affordable market”.
Ask how BSNL could achieve that target by 2023 when it is only just launching 4G on its network now, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the transition from 4G to 5G is not long and can be achieve in that time frame.
Ashwini Vaishnaw also clarified that initially, BSNL’s 5G will be base on the non-standalone architecture.
In the non-standalone architecture, operators can maximise the utilisation of their existing network infrastructure with relatively lower investment.
In July, the government had clear a Rs 1.64 lakh crore booster shot for the loss-making BSNL with an aim to upgrade the operator’s network to 4G, while de-stressing its balance sheet.
The four-year turnaround plan includes both a cash component and a non-cash component.
The package has three main focus areas.
Government will focus on upgrading BSNL services, wherein the company will be administratively allocate spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz frequencies at the cost of Rs 44,993 crore through equity infusion.
The government will fund capital expenditure worth Rs 22,471 crore for deployment of indigenous 4G stack by the operator, and also providing Rs 13,789 crore of viability gap funding for operating commercially unviable rural wireline operations.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had previously said that the Centre will provide sovereign guarantee to BSNL and MTNL for raising long-term loan.
They will be able to raise long-term bonds for an amount of Rs 40,399 crore.
To further improve the balance sheet, AGR dues of BSNL amounting to Rs 33,404 crore will be settle by conversion into equity, and the government will provide funds to BSNL for settling the AGR/GST dues.
BSNL will re-issue preference share of Rs 7,500 crore to the government.
In addition to these measures, the Cabinet also approve BSNL’s merger with Bharat Broadband Nigam Ltd, the nodal agency for BharatNet rollout that will augment BSNL’s finer network.
Jio 5G in India
Reliance Jio’s 5G services will be initially offer in the four metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata by Diwali.
Mukesh Ambani promise to deliver affordable 5G services across India by December 2023.
Also Mukesh Ambani claims that Jio plans to become the first company to finish rolling high-quality and affordable 5G services than anywhere else in the world.
Most of Jio’s 5G technology is reportedly develop in India.
Its affordability is expect to bring high-quality education and skill development within the grasp of common Indians.
This technology could be imperative for transforming AI, IoT, robotics, blockchain, the metaverse, and many more.
Airtel 5G in India
Airtel 5G has launch in eight cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Siliguri, and Ahmedabad.
More cities will get these services by March 2023, with pan-India coverage promise by March 2024.
Airtel has reveale that it is in the process of gradually installing 5G towers in the mentioned cities.
Initially, 5G services will only be available near these towers.
Airtel officials have confirm that 5G services are being launch at the current 4G rates.
Airtel plans to increase the 5G tariff after some time.
Customers will be require to have 5G phones to access these services.
Vi 5G in India
Vi was the only company among the three that refraine from launching 5G services.
The Vi has express its desire to soon bring 5G services to its customers.
It plans to leverage its strong presence in rural areas, enterprise customers, and tech partners to progressively roll out its 5G network and services in India.
Vi reportedly has over 240 million customers in India, with over 50% from rural regions.
The Vi has reportedly constantly upgrade its network to be capable of smooth migration to 5G.
As Realme CEO Madhav Sheth confirm that it has start rolling out OTA updates for its devices to ensure that they are compatible with 5G technology.
Other smartphone brands are expect to release similar updates for their devices as well.
5G services in 10 points
- Reliance, Airtel and Vodafone Idea, the three major telecom operators demonstrate one use case each in front of the prime minister to show the potential of 5G technology in India.
- Reliance Industries Ltd.’s 5G network aims to cover the remotest corners of India by December 2023.
- Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Bangalore are among the eight cities where Airtel said it would launch its services.
- Vodafone Idea has said it plans to begin the journey to roll out 5G services soon, without specifying a date.
- In his remarks, PM Modi also underline how some people undermine the government’s “Digital India” initiative.
- Price of the device, digital connectivity, cost of data, and the idea of ‘digital first’ have the four pillars that have in focus to help India go digital.
- From 6 crore internet users in 2014 to 80 crore users, the penetration has deepening, according to the government.
- 5G will help in real-time monitoring of disasters, precision agriculture, and minimising the role of humans in dangerous industrial operations such as in deep mines, offshore activities.
- 5G is much more than the next generation of technology. It actually unlocks the potential of other technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Robotics, Blockchain, and Metaverse.
- The 5G services would also help India add to its unicorn list.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said :
“A new India – the country is no longer just a consumer of technology but a contributor in its development too,”.
“At the time of launch of 2G, 3G and 4G services, India was dependent on other countries. But with 5G, the country is setting foot in a new historical era, and is leading globally,” PM Modi asserted, labeling it as “a revolution”.
The launch took place as he inaugurate the sixth edition of the India Mobile Congress, stresing that the government aims to provide “internet for all”.
