India’s 5G challenge

The high cost of the network, lack of infrastructure, and a massive number of users are some of the issues that telcos need to grapple with as they plan to roll out 5G in India.

By Vinay K Mayer

Tomorrow’s mobile connectivity could bring even greater speed and lower latency than it does today. Imagine being able to download a movie in less time than it takes you to read this article! But the only way 5G will be 5X faster than 4G, is if the infrastructure that supports it has improved as well.

The arrival of 5G will introduce many new technologies and devices, but it also brings with it new security risks, especially as we move into the era of IoT.

While 5G is just around the corner and everyone seems to be excited about its promises to usher in the next generation of mobile connectivity, telecom operators and the government are working hard to develop the ecosystem for India. And the question that bothers many is how India will be able to deploy 5G when there is a lack of infrastructure. Will 5G be any different than its 4G predecessor? Here is a list of the reasons why India must undergo structural changes for 5G technology to become a reality.

The roadmap for India

The smartphone market is undergoing an enormous shift during this time of technological development, fast internet speeds, and new advances in entertainment, and it is nearly undeniable that more individuals will be turning to smartphones to supply their every need. Most nations are expected to progress technologically using 5G technology within the next few years because having all of the technology needed to keep up with the rest of the world is vital for competency and wealth when participating in the global economy.

In India, most industries are involved in various ways to help launch 5G in the country. The country has been making a significant investment in R&D for all mobile companies and the government alike. The process that’s currently taking place is working on finalizing a nationwide plan for where to set up 5G networks, what spectrum will be used, who will utilize it, and how it will interact with older technologies that still have some time before they’re fully phased out.

To increase the adoption of 5G, it is also important to make sure that affordable handsets work on the new network as well.

A blueprint to prevent technical snags

The arrival of 5G will introduce many new technologies and devices, but it also brings with it new security risks, especially as we move into the era of the internet of things (IoT). For example, the new technology will create opportunities for advanced patient monitoring, remote surgery, and automated driving, but it will also introduce the risk of unwanted attacks and spying.

India will need a much-improved digital infrastructure if it is to have a 5G network. A digitally enabled society is well underway in India that will propel it to become one of the world’s biggest markets for internet use. Therefore, now would be the best time for building new networks to deliver improved communications with faster speeds and greater network stability. However, there are currently some roadblocks when it comes to these new fiber optic cables being installed leading to potential problems down the line.

Challenges, threats, security solutions

The high cost of setting up the network, lack of infrastructure, and a sheer number of users have been major challenges for telecom companies in India. However, the recent announcement of 5G trials shows that telecom service operators are getting the gist of this new technology.

According to reports, India plans to launch its 5G network by August 2022. A series of auctions will be held for engineering, procurement, and construction of the 5G infrastructure later this year. As part of its 5G development efforts, it has launched test projects in Mumbai and Gurgaon with Bharti Airtel and Reliance JIO. However, there are still some other significant factors at play that will affect the 5G rollout

Small cells for 5G: Small cells are the network’s sturdier 5G foundation. They are deployed anywhere from 200 to 250 meters apart through our infrastructure, on electricity poles near you, on streetlights, and above metro pillars. There are hundreds of ways that small cell technology is interacting with the built environment around us and this makes them an integral part of creating a hyper-dense network that can support speeds of up to 10 Gbps!

Tech-laden devices: A significant number of premium 5G phones will soon be available in India. Mobile phone companies like Samsung, Huawei, and OnePlus are launching their premium phones to boost the adoption of 5G for a better future overall. To increase the adoption of 5G, it is also important to make sure that affordable handsets work on the new network as well.

Security and privacy issues: This can be a major concern anytime when large amounts of information are being sent over a network. The 5th generation wireless network uses a C-V2X communication protocol that will enable broad coverage for many more devices. This could present new security challenges when it comes to battlefield applications, commercial operations, medical fields, and consumer devices like smart homes.

The 5th generation wireless network uses a C-V2X communication protocol. This could present new security challenges when it comes to battlefield applications.

Deploying 5G in India

Recent discussions indicate that telecom operators are expanding their assets by increasing the capacity of their BTS sites and turning to microcells for rural coverage. A MIMO technology upgrade will also boost bandwidth speeds for customers. Experts believe the integration of 5G into our current technologies will create a “leapfrog” effect, which will bring improvements in communication.

4G vs 5G network architecture differences include latency, potential download speeds, base stations, and OFDM encoding and cell density. 5G is expected to be about 100X larger than 4G. Those speeds are possible because most 5G networks are built on very high airwaves, also known as the high-band spectrum. High waves can transmit a lot of data, much faster than 4G.

Besides, 5G networks use 256-bit encryption, which is a substantial improvement on the 128-bit standard used by 4G. 5G encrypts the user’s identity and location, making it impossible to identify or locate them once they are on the network.

Reports also indicate that 5G cellular networks will be so fast that one won’t need individual SIM cards. Experts say that the transition to a completely new generation of 5G networks will differ from the way we transitioned from older 3G systems to 4G in the past, where we had to insert a new SIM card into the device.

Experts point out that some industries may benefit more from 5G, particularly those requiring high speeds, low latency, and 5G network capacity. Smart factories, for instance, can use 5G to enhance production and efficiency by using industrial Ethernet. Other technologies, including autonomous cars, may take advantage of this technology since they will send signals to a cloud-based computer, which analyses the situation and sends signals back to the car.

What does the industry expect?

The 5G network architecture will include ultrahigh capacity as a leading design feature due to its ability to operate at higher speeds. This internet infrastructure will enable multiple networks to work together as if they were one cohesive network, giving it greater flexibility and control. As a result of 5G’s intelligent and resourceful use of IT or information technology, it recognizes the importance of capacity usage and energy efficiency, allowing operators to send data on demand, improving the speed of data delivery to locations whenever and wherever they may be.

The methods for modulating, demodulating, and coding differ depending on the communication type (2G, 3G, or 4G) and which network a person may be using. The most common modulations used in these types of communications are GSM and TDMA for legacy cellular networks, T-DMB for digital TV broadcasting, and DVB-H & DVB-T for digital terrestrial television broadcasting. While some standards have been set with 5G technologies, like MIMO communications, many are still under development.

Another way to maximize your cell phone network’s efficiency is to reduce interference and maximize the capacity of available channels. Researchers have found that the 4G network increases overall capacity by reducing interference between signals and letting various sets of base stations work together more effectively. A similar approach is used in 5G network planning because studies have shown that multiple coordination technologies can improve capacity.

The transition to 5G networks will differ from the way we transitioned from older 3G systems to 4G in the past, where we had to insert a new SIM card into the device.

India happens to be at the forefront as it is working towards becoming a 5G contributor with its Digital India program. When this novel technology has been fully implemented and is available for use, it could revolutionize our everyday lives in a way yet undiscovered. Understanding that 5G will open up incredible opportunities in all fields, it may mean even more bandwidth is required so we should start thinking of ways to allocate resources wisely at this juncture. Because we do not want India to fall behind with regard to its infrastructure development, let’s take proactive steps towards exploring our options regarding how best to implement this ultra-advanced technology right here in our own country so that when it becomes available, we are prepared and ready for its inclusion into our day-to-day lives.

Mayer is Director – Marketing Research & Consulting, Asia Research Partners LLP

feedbackvnd@cybermedia.co.in