The DoT gives permission to conduct “5G Technology Trials” in India

What is the News?

The Department of Telecommunications(DoT) has given permission to conduct trials for the use and application of 5G technology. The DoT permitted few Telecom Service Providers(TSPs) to conduct such 5G Technology trials.

Objectives of 5G Technology Trials: The objective behind the trials is to:

• Firstly, test 5G spectrum propagation characteristics especially in the Indian context;
• Secondly, model tune and evaluate chosen equipment and vendors;
• Thirdly, test indigenous technology;
• Fourthly, test applications such as telemedicine, Tele-education, augmented/virtual reality, drone-based agricultural monitoring, among others
• Fifthly, test 5G phones and devices.

Key Features of the 5G Technology Trials:

• The Telecom Service Providers(TSP) permitted for the trials include Bharti Airtel Ltd, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Vodafone Idea Ltd and MTNL. This means that the Chinese Telecom Providers such as Huawei will not be part of the 5G trials in India.
• Areas: The trials will take place in rural, semi-urban and urban areas. So that the benefit of 5G technology proliferates across the country.
• Duration: The duration of the trials is for a period of six months. This includes a time period of two months for procurement and setting up of equipment.
• 5Gi Technology: The Telecom service providers would be encouraged to conduct the trials using 5Gi technology. This is an addition to the already known 5G technology.

About 5G Technology:

• 5G or fifth generation is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks.
• 5G mainly works in 3 bands, namely low, mid and high-frequency spectrum. All of which have their own uses as well as limitations.
• Advantages of 5G:
  • Near Instantaneous connectivity —20 times faster than 4G.
  • Reduced latency (faster response time)
  • Energy saving
  • Cost reduction
  • Higher system capacity and
  • mass device connectivity.

About 5Gi Technology:

• 5Gi stands for 5G Radio Interface Technology. It has been developed by the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, Centre of Excellence in Wireless Technology and the IIT-Hyderabad.
• Purpose: 5Gi technology is primarily meant to enhance rural coverage. It facilitates much larger reach of the 5G towers and radio networks. Hence, it is a major breakthrough for bridging the rural-urban digital divide in 5G deployment.
• Approved by: 5Gi standard has also been approved by the International Telecommunications Union.

Source: The Hindu

5G technology in India – importance, challenges and solutions