PM launches 5G, calls it start of a new era
#GS-03 Science and Technology
For Prelims:
About 5G:
- 5G or the 5th generation mobile network. It is the new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.
- It helps in the creation of a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices in a new interconnected technology called the Internet of Things (IoT).
For Mains
Advantage of 5G:
- 5G is expected to create a cumulative economic benefit of $1 trillion in India by 2035, according to a report by a government-appointed panel.
- Global telecom industry GSMA has forecast that India will have about 70 million 5G connections by 2025.
- 5G would be able to support a much larger range of applications and services, including driverless vehicles, tele-surgery and real time data analytics.
- 5G can also help to make transport infrastructure more efficient by making it smart.
- 5G will enable vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, making driverless cars, among other things, a reality.
The challenges in implementing 5G:
Frequency allocation:
- Indian operators have far less spectrum in comparison to international operators. The high investment cost which makes telecom companies unsure about Return on Investment.
Network investment:
- In India, the telecom sector is facing capital augmentation issues which need to be resolved. Non-availability of funds for investment: Many of the Indian operators are also weighed down by debt.
Regulatory restrictions:
- Faster rounds of new technology introduction when prior technology investments have not been recouped add further complexity.
Technical Challenges:
- Designing IT architecture that can be deployed globally, while still allowing for localized technology to cater for different regions is a challenge.
Lack of Government incentives:
- Government has little incentive to forgo revenues, given the increasing pressure on its revenues, especially after the covid-19 induced slowdown.
To know more about 5G click here
