What is digital literacy and why is it important for 5G in tier-2, tier-3 cities

Digital literacy refers to the ability to use digital technologies effectively, critically, and safely. It encompasses a range of skills, knowledge, and competencies that enable individuals to navigate, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate using digital devices, applications, and platforms.

According to the Indian National Statistical Office, a digitally literate person is at least five years old and can navigate the Internet via a web browser, use e-mail, and find, evaluate, and communicate information using social media tools.

Digital literacy is vital for individuals to fully participate in today's digital society. It enables access to information, communication, critical thinking, economic opportunities, civic engagement, privacy, and security. By developing digital literacy skills, individuals can navigate the digital world confidently, make informed decisions, and effectively leverage digital technologies for personal, professional, and societal benefits.

Here are some key aspects of digital literacy in India:

1. Awareness and Basic Digital Skills: Promote awareness about the benefits and opportunities of digital technologies among all sections of society. Offer training programs to equip individuals with basic digital skills, such as using computers, accessing the internet, and utilizing digital tools like email, search engines, and social media platforms.
2. Internet Access and Infrastructure: Ensure affordable and reliable internet access in both urban and rural areas. Bridge the digital divide by expanding broadband connectivity and improving infrastructure in underserved regions. Collaborate with internet service providers, government agencies, and private organizations to increase internet penetration and affordability.
3. Language Localization: India is a linguistically diverse country with multiple languages and dialects. Promote localization efforts to make digital content available in regional languages, enabling more people to access and understand information online. Develop localized user interfaces, online resources, and digital tools to cater to diverse linguistic needs.
4. Online Safety and Security: Educate individuals about online safety, privacy, and cybersecurity. Provide guidelines on protecting personal information, avoiding scams, and identifying online threats. Promote responsible digital behavior, including proper use of social media, safe online transactions, and awareness of online bullying and harassment.
5. Digital Literacy for Women and Marginalized Groups: Focus on enhancing digital literacy among women, rural populations, economically disadvantaged communities, and marginalized groups. Design targeted programs to address specific challenges and barriers faced by these groups, empowering them to leverage digital technologies for education, livelihoods, and social empowerment.
6. Digital Literacy in Education: Integrate digital literacy into school curricula to ensure that young students acquire essential digital skills from an early age. Encourage the use of digital tools and resources in classrooms, promoting digital research, critical thinking, and digital citizenship among students.
7. Government Initiatives: Support and leverage government initiatives such as the Digital India program, which aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Collaborate with government agencies to align efforts, share resources, and implement digital literacy programs at a national scale.
8. Public-Private Partnerships: Foster collaborations between government, non-profit organizations, and private sector entities to amplify the impact of digital literacy initiatives. Engage businesses and industry associations to provide resources, expertise, and training opportunities for enhancing digital skills.
9. Continuous Learning and Skill Upgradation: Encourage individuals to adopt a lifelong learning mindset to keep pace with evolving digital technologies. Promote access to online learning platforms, digital skills training programs, and certification courses to support continuous skill development.
10. Evaluation and Impact Assessment: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of digital literacy initiatives to assess their impact and identify areas for improvement. Monitor the progress of individuals who have undergone digital literacy programs, measuring their digital skills development and the extent of their digital inclusion.

India, one of the world's most populous nations, also has one of the biggest global client bases. However, tier 4 and tier 5 regions remain beyond the scope of services like basic banking, finance, and e-commerce due to a lack of digital literacy and a slow adoption of technology, lingering as undiscovered outliers.

A determined effort has also been made by the government through Digital India Initiative to further integrate the internet into society. According to the Digital 2023: India report-

• There were 692.0 million internet users in India at the start of 2023, when internet penetration stood at 48.7 percent.
• India was home to 467.0 million social media users in January 2023, equating to 32.8 percent of the total population.
• A total of 1.10 billion cellular mobile connections were active in India in early 2023, with this figure equivalent to 77.0 percent of the total population.

According to the ‘Internet in India Report 2022’ published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar , India's internet penetration was 52% last year, with 759 million of its 1.4 billion- population going online at least once a month. Users in rural areas accounted for 399 million (53%) of that total and this hike was faster, at 14%, compared to those in urban spots, which increased only 6% to 360 million (47%). However, internet penetration in rural India is 41% as opposed to 71% in the cities and towns.

According to a report by Cisco, India is expected to have over 900 million internet users by 2023, up from 398 million in 2018, it is also anticipated that there will be 2.1 billion networked devices by 2023, with machine-to-machine (M2M) modules accounting for 25% (524.3 million) of all networked devices.

On October 1st, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the official launch of 5G in India at the India Mobile Congress held in Delhi. It is anticipated that by the end of 2023, 75% of the population will have access to the fifth-generation cellular network, which is currently operational across the nation.

As India continues to witness rapid digital penetration, the focus is shifting toward bridging the remaining digital divide, expanding internet connectivity in rural areas, promoting cybersecurity and data privacy, and fostering innovation and digital entrepreneurship to harness the full potential of the digital revolution.

To assure the aforementioned aim, simple steps that TSPs' begin with is by conducting a thorough assessment of the existing telecommunication infrastructure in tier-2 and 3 cities. Evaluate the availability and condition of fiber optic cables, mobile towers, and other necessary infrastructure required for 5G deployment. TSP's must develop a comprehensive plan and strategy for 5G deployment in these cities. Consider factors such as population density, demand, and the specific needs of each city. Collaborate with local government bodies and telecommunication companies to align goals and resources. They must ensure that the necessary spectrum bands for 5G are allocated by the regulatory authorities. Work closely with the government to secure the required spectrum licenses and ensure an adequate amount of spectrum is available for 5G deployment in tier-2 and 3 cities.

Another important factor that comes into play here is that TSP's must upgrade the existing infrastructure to support 5G technology. This may include installing new base stations, upgrading existing towers, and deploying additional fiber optic cables to support high-speed data transmission. Focus on optimizing coverage and capacity in densely populated areas, business districts, and important public spaces.

Service providers will also be needed to establish robust backhaul connectivity to connect the 5G base stations to the core network. This could involve deploying fiber optic cables, microwave links, or satellite connectivity, depending on the local conditions and availability of resources.

Another strategy that TSP's adopt is conducting pilot projects in select areas of tier-2 and 3 cities to test and validate the 5G technology. Evaluate the network performance, identify any challenges or issues, and refine the deployment strategy based on the findings.

It is very important to launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the benefits and potential applications of 5G technology. Address any concerns related to health, security, and privacy through transparent communication and engagement.

For 5G to penetrate into rural structure or teir-2 and tier-3 cities' framework, it is important that TSP's, Government authorities, Educational institutions and regulatory bodies work closely to create an enabling environment for 5G deployment. Streamline approval processes, address regulatory barriers, and establish guidelines for network rollout, spectrum sharing, and infrastructure development.

It does not stop at that. Once all the other steps have been followed carefully, it is very important to continuously monitor the performance of the 5G network, identify areas of improvement, and optimize the network parameters accordingly. Regularly engage with local stakeholders, businesses, and communities to gather feedback and address any issues or challenges that arise only then can we expect India to have successfully created an acceptable 5G ecosystem that is penetrated to every end and corner of the country.