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Before we progress, lets understand the basics first.
What is 5G Services?
5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. 5G services enable a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices. 5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. Higher performance and improved efficiency empower new user experiences and connects new industries.
How is 5G different from previous generations of mobile networks?
A: The previous generations of mobile networks are 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G.
First generation - 1G
1980s: 1G delivered analog voice.
Second generation - 2G
Early 1990s: 2G introduced digital voice (e.g. CDMA- Code Division Multiple Access).
Third generation - 3G
Early 2000s: 3G brought mobile data (e.g. CDMA2000).
Fourth generation - 4G LTE
2010s: 4G LTE ushered in the era of mobile broadband.
1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G all led to 5G services, which is designed to provide more connectivity than was ever available before. 5G technology is a unified, more capable air interface. It has been designed with an extended capacity to enable next-generation user experiences, empower new deployment models and deliver new services. With high speeds, superior reliability and negligible latency, 5G will expand the mobile ecosystem into new realms. 5G will impact every industry, making safer transportation, remote healthcare, precision agriculture, digitized logistics — and more — a reality.
5G In India
The process of 5G in India began with the beginning of 5G spectrum auction that began on July 26 and concluded on August 1, with the government fetching a whopping Rs 1,50,173 crore through the bids. The government had put 72 GHz of radiowaves for sale across 10 bands, of which 71 per cent 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).
5G Launch Updates: Top Bidders
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio emerged as the winner of the bid across several spectrum bands including the covered 700 MHz band worth Rs 88,078 crore. Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel fetched the second spot after buying 19,867 MHZ airwaves worth Rs 43,084 crore. While beleaguered telecom company Vodafone-Idea Limited (VIL) bought spectrum worth Rs 18,784 crore, Adani Group bought spectrum bands worth Rs 212 crore.
10 ways in which 5G network in India could change consumers
After PM Modi Launched 5G Services In India on October 1, 2022, the 5G connectivity in India can bring many benefits and changes due to 5G services for the consumers.
- For consumers, 5G connectivity promises higher data speeds over 4G. At its peak, internet speeds on 5G could touch 10 Gbps, compared to the 100 Mbps peak of 4G.
- 5G technology offers latency as low as 1ms. For the unversed, latency is the time taken by the device to send packets of data and get a response. Shorter the latency, quicker the response.
- 5G network technology will provide seamless coverage in remote areas across the country. It will increase energy efficiency, spectrum efficiency and network efficiency.
- 5G will also usher in the ear of technology advances in the country such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and more. These technologies will have have end-to-end affect on multiple sectors - healthcare, agriculture, education, disaster management and others.
- 5G will enhance the fan experience at live music festivals and sports events like football matches. The low latency offered by 5G will offer immersive experience to sports lovers.
- 5G will also enable new services and products powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The advanced abilities offered by 5G networks will also drive new business models.
- The arrival of 5G will also transform the transport and mobility sector. Using 5G, a network of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations can be established to help maximise the cost-effectiveness of the EV ecosystem;
- Next-generation 5G network will also aid the remote working more effectively. 5G-powered smart buildings can help provide more comfortable working environment for the employees, boosting productivity along with reducing costs for employers.
- 5G technology will give a boost to the Industrial Revolution 4.0. The all-new 5G services will connect a variety of IoT (Internet of Things) sensors and devices to automate the scheduling of various processes.
- 5G will enable customers to watch 4K video on their phones. It will also enable the use of AR/VR, mobile gaming apps, and a number of other immersive activities and new applications.
- Next-generation 5G technology will also have an impact on the way of production and distribution of goods. Applications of 5G in the manufacturing sector includes reduced costs, lower down time, minimum wastage and improve productivity. 5G is expected to bring the logistics cost to 5% from 13-14% at present.
- 5G will also have a big impact in the safety and surveillance sector. 5G technology and its applications will enable remote control over disaster hit areas, live 4K feed from HD camera installed in public spaces and more. It will also help in minimising the role of humans in dangerous industrial operations such as in deep mines, offshore activities etc.
5G Technology: What Are Its Advantages and Disadvantages
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of 5G technology.
Advantages of 5G Technology
- High Speed: One of the major pros of 5G technology is its ability to work faster on cellular and other devices. Unlike its predecessors—2G, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE, where downloading movies, videos, and music and streaming services would have taken hours, with 5G technology these tasks become much easier with downloading taking only a few seconds.
- Increased Bandwidth: With increased bandwidth, 5G technology provides seamless transfer of data, thus improving the connectivity amongst devices and the overall user experience. Moreover, the technology provides users with a seamless transition of services between cellular devices and wireless wifi, thus improving performance.
- Low Latency: Compared to its predecessors, 5G technology has low latency which makes it easier to support other new-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, and virtual reality, which is another major advantage of 5G technology.
- 5G network cities in India during the initial period may be limited but in due course the 5G network cities in India will cover the entire country.
Disadvantages of 5G Technology
- Limited Coverage: This is a major disadvantage of 5G. While 5G technology is touted to have the fastest speed, its presence in only select cities globally that have 5G towers is one of the limitations of this technology. Despite global companies and governments working for maximum cities to have the coverage of 5G, it would take years for the introduction and implementation, as the testing, trial, and set-up of 5G towers is an expensive process.
- Battery Damages: Another limitation of 5G technology is it weakens the cellular device, by draining the battery and reducing the lifespan. So far only a few manufacturers have introduced mobile phones that are 5G friendly. While research and development are underway to manufacture 5G devices, the technology is proving to be a bane to 4G devices as it often leads to battery damage according to experts.
- Weak Upload Speeds: Some experts believe that despite its ability to have faster download speeds, 5G technology will have less upload speed compared to 4G and 4G LTE. This is another drawback of 5G technology.
- Cybersecurity Risk: Another drawback of 5G technology is it increases the risk of hacking thus impinging on cybersecurity. Moreover, lack of encryption during the connection process also makes the devices using 5G technology an easier target for cyberattacks and data theft.
- Interference with Airport And Flight Operations: In January this year, several airlines including Air India canceled their flights to the US as the telecom operators in the country were trying to roll out 5G operations in the country. One of the major reasons behind the cancellation of flights was the interference of technology with flight operations, according to the US Aviation Authority. Thankfully, this issue has not been encountered by other nations where 5G services have been rolled out, but this makes it another limitation of 5G technology.
As discussed, 5G services in India provides many benefits including seamless coverage, high data rate, low latency and highly reliable communications system. There are some limitations and disadvantages too. Given the importance of 5G telecom services in India, this topic is expected to feature in Group Discussions and Interviews for MBA admissions. So, prepare well!
