Earlier this week India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) approved firms’ applications for 5G trials in India. 5G or fifth generation is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution of mobile broadband networks. It is going to bring new capabilities that will create opportunities for society. 5G mainly works in 3 bands, namely low, mid and high-frequency spectrum — all of which have their uses and limitations.
It took us more than 40 years to reach here. In 1980 we got our first cellular network 1G. Then in 1990 we got 2G, and then slowly after 2020 we’re talking about 5G.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Tuesday allowed private telecommunication companies Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Vi (formerly Vodafone Idea) & Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) to start trials for 5G technology as well as its applications in various sectors. In the initial phase, these trials will be for 6 months. Including a two-month period for procurement and setting up of the equipment.
Effects/Benefits of 5G trails in Indian Telecom Companies:
The telecom market in India is left with only three private companies. With the rest having surrendered to the low Returns on Investments (RoI) over the years. Apart from the private telecommunication companies, the two state-run companies, MTNL and BSNL have also survived but are making losses.
The telecom firms already gave permission to use experimental spectrum in various, bands. They will also get the permit to use the existing spectrum which is 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800 & 2500 MHz for the conduct of the 5G trials.
This can increase the ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) for the Companies. Although to do that they need to conduct trials in a variety of circumstances, including in semi-urban and rural areas. Which remains an untapped market for them.
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Why has China expressed concern regarding the 5G trials in India?
When earlier this week India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) approved firms’ applications to conduct a 6-month trial to test the use and application of 5G technology in the country. Those who have received the approval include international giants such as Ericsson, Nokia & Samsung that will collaborate with Indian telecom for the trials.
Not a single Chinese firms grant permission to participate in 5G trials. Huawei, ZTE, and other Chinese companies that have been operating in India for several years haven’t received approval from the Indian government to participate in the upcoming trial. India’s move earlier this week follows similar decisions taken by the U.S., U.K., and Australia, all of which have expressed concerns about Huawei and ZTE and their ties with the Chinese government.
Wang Xiaojian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India. He said in a statement on Wednesday that the nation expresses “concern and regret that Chinese telecommunications companies have not been permitted to conduct 5G trials with Indian Telecom Service Providers in India.”