| Introduction: Write a brief note on 5G services. Body: Write down a few points on challenges of rolling out 5G services. Write down a few points on the capacity of 5G services in promoting growth and job opportunities. Conclusion: Write down a few suggestions to tackle the challenges |
5G refers to the 5th generation wireless telecommunication technology, which is in sequence after 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G. It uses the optical fibre infrastructure with advantages like
- High data speed up to 20 Gbps.
- Ultra-low latency of 1 millisecond.
- Ability to support high bandwidth communication and more devices per square kilometer up to a million devices
This technology can be beneficial for stimulating growth and creating job opportunities.
- It can enable India economy to take advantages of the opportunities created by the 4th industrial revolution based on digital economy, IoT and Artificial Intelligence.
- It will support high speed data services that have can increase the efficiency and productivity of industries by optimizing operations and manufacturing process with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML).
- It will improve governance by
- Policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of programme and policies by analyzing high frequency real time Data.
- Use technologies like smart metering, smart grid and smart city to improve governance efficiency and reach.
- National level weather and disaster forecasting to reduce vulnerability and enhance capacity.
- Improving agriculture process by interactive micro level planning and implementation by use of geo-spatial data, soil parameters and weather parameters.
- Application in social sector like
- E-learning with customized and need based individual learning.
- Tele medicine to address the lack of physical infrastructure and penetration of health services.
- National level disease surveillance and support.
- It can create opportunities for new start ups in the modern age technology domain.
However, there are challenges in reaping the benefits of 5G
- Lack of infrastructure in terms of limited reach of optical fibre infrastructure and interrupted power supply.
- Strain on telecommunication companies because of bad financial health and low average revenue per user.
- Lack of skilled manpower to tap the benefits of opportunities.
- Consumer constraints like cost of data and handset adaptability.
- Reliance of India on imports for creation of infrastructure.
- Challenges of data privacy and financial security.
- Lack of initiative from government resulting in India becoming a late comer in the 5G industry like delay in auction of spectrum and high auction prices.
To address these challenges the following steps can be taken
- Deployment Challenges: Many networks operating on 5G radio frequencies called millimeter waves, provide less than one square mile of coverage. Thus, much infrastructure investment would be required to cover a vast country like India.
- Domestic 5G production, expediting spectrum auction and rationalization of pricing.
- Creation of technology specific reskilling and upskilling programs.
- Investment in R&D to improve domestic capacity.
- Streamlining of regulations and policy measures to ensure promotion of 5G.
Steps taken by the government like the digital Communication policy 2018 and announcement in budget 2022 for auction of 5G spectrum in 2022 will go a long way in making India ready to reap the benefits of 5G.
