Why India lags in implementation of 5G despite the government’s stated interest in establishing a lead? What Government of India needs to do for implementing it effectively? Discuss (200 Words)
Refer - Business Standard
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
Darshan 5 years
IAS Parliament 5 years
Avoid listing out points, if listed explain them.It is not necessary to write in points, you can write in paragraphs also. Try to mention about National Telecommunication policy, reasons for lagging implementation of 5G network. Keep Writing.
Decoding the question is very important, and try to explain the ideas in simple sentences.
Darshan 5 years
IAS Parliament 5 years
5G is a mix of telecom technologies1delivering much higher data speeds on more extensive connectivity, using much lower power, with extended battery life, and emitting less radiation, for ways to connect and operate most of the conveniences people use regularly.
Reasons for lagging in implementation
· The catch is that 5G is at an early stage in a long process perhaps a couple of years to manifest in large trials in India, and several more years to be widely available, needing huge investment ($100 billion in India).
· The sobering financial condition of India’s communications industry gives pause. Financial capacity revenue generation and access to capital, both equity and debt at favourable terms is required to develop capabilities.
· After the telecom price wars, even Reliance Jio is reportedly cutting staff. Airtel, meanwhile, having invested heavily in 4G infrastructure, has stated its unwillingness to bid for 5G spectrum unless prices are lower.
· The government set up a committee for 5G in September 2017 with a steering group chaired by emeritus professor at Stanford Arogyaswami Paulraj, a pioneer in wireless communications.
· This committee recommended network deployment as the immediate priority, i.e., rolling out early, efficient and pervasive 5G networks. Technology design and manufacturing capacity were recommended for later phases.
· But network deployment needs policy support, especially for a debt-encumbered sector faced with declining revenues per user, and unused, inaccessible spectrum, even as other countries enhance their lead.
· Government policies have not succeeded in coordinating our reservoir of human resources and potential.
· India lags in 5G despite the government’s stated interest in establishing a lead. Spectrum allocation and large trials were scheduled towards the end of 2019, and auctions in 2020.
Initiate a breakthrough
The government can catalyse a breakthrough by doing the following:
· Reduce borrowing costs and taxes for communications as infrastructure. This aim of the National Telecom Policy 2012 (NTP-2012) has been ignored.
· Provide adequate spectrum aligned with global allocations. Given India’s low fibre penetration and need for digital technology, allow shared access to all spectrum and infrastructure, with charges for usage based on revenue sharing.
· Clear administrative impasses through coordination and due process without delay. For example, allocate spectrum immediately for 12 months for trials.
· To succeed with Digital India and 5G, government can begin by classifying communications as infrastructure, and adopting the approach taken for 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
· Use spectrum and network sharing to leverage equipment and spectrum fully; support local technology champions such as a fabless chip design unit and a network equipment manufacturer in Bangalore, and a wireless equipment manufacturer in Delhi; and focus only on delivery with sustainable revenue generation.
Suganya R 5 years
Please review
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good answer. Try to include the role of spectrum allocation, red tapism acting as road block to 5G. Keep Writing.
