Unlocking the potential of digital with 5G

The pandemic has put a spotlight on the need for a digital-first approach toward businesses and the requirement of a robust infrastructure to support the unimaginable levels of data consumption at high speeds. 5G has the potential to make this a reality. As an all-inclusive technology with immense potential 5G can impact not just ICT services but every user interface.High speed internet is just one of the advantages of this awaited technology and it has the potential to accelerate the transformation to the digital first world.

NEC, a leader in telecommunications, is at the forefront of the connectivity revolution. In India, we have made early investment in the 5G space, through a dedicated CoE in Chennai.Pioneering the deployment of O-RAN technology, a disruptive technology providing better return on CapEx thirsty network infrastructure industry, for consumers, it will enable quicker access for downloading more data at incredible speeds and for operators O-RAN will help improve the returns on investment. 5G also opens possibilities with micro 5G platforms where closed loop private networks can unlock better IoT applications on improved data corridors driving, for example, automation in manufacturing, transportation and logistics.

5G – Gateway to unimaginable opportunities
As per industry data, by 2023, one billion users are expected to have access to 5G technology. With speeds as high as 500Mbps to 1Gbps, 5G is all set to push the data transfer capabilities to exponential levels. It is also predicted that by 2035 there will be around USD 12 trillion worth of 5G related services, including mission-critical services, enhanced mobile broadband and massive IoT advancements. It is likely to have a transformative impact on industries such as retail, healthcare, education, transportation and entertainment, some of which we are beginning to see in early 5G adopting markets such as Smart Cities, Autonomous Vehicles, AR/VR, Telemedicine etc. As per TRAI, 5G has the potential to create a cumulative economic impact of USD 1 trillion by 2035. It is therefore critical to discuss and understand how a country like India can leverage the technology optimally across all markets.

Even in traditional sectors like agriculture, 5G can prove to be a game changer. With 5G in play, the fourth Industrial Revolution can finally become a reality. 5G can facilitate faster adoption and implementation of other established and emerging technologies.

What implementation in India entails
The implementation of a cloud-native 5G core network is unquestionably a crucial vector in revolutionizing the industry across multiple verticals, unlocking new B2B2X business models that can rapidly deliver new services and experiences. Before the technology rolls out, the base and foundation of the infrastructure is going to be the focal point of telecom gear manufacturers and operators alike. Most countries are yet to fully migrate to 4G, despite the years of the technology being in existence. Thus, it is essential that for optimal impact to the economy, the deployment options are analysed thoroughly before this sophisticated technology is put in place.

Ideally, India needs to look at hybrid solutions that can be modelled out of the existing infra than to build from ground up. We need easier spectrum availability, fluid industry synergies and practical means to make the cost effectiveness visible. While the usage and impact potential has been clearly established, what needs further analysis are the means and tools to effectively address the concerns of existing network capabilities and where required to upgrade infrastructure that can support 4G and beyond.

For 5G architecture to be successful, it is critical to merge software innovation with hardware speed. This calls for the underlying technology architecture to be agile and constantly evolving. For seamless deployment of this high-end technology, support from industry partnerships, open collaborations, and effective utilization of cloud native and augmented channels like ORAN and Open vRAN networks is pivotal. Indian landscape is fast evolving but more needs to happen to get our telecom ecosystem 5G ready. Industry is calling for real time innovations that can address this gap. Vendors, operators, and manufacturers alike are forging partnerships that leverage each other’s capabilities in order to make successful use cases for rapid scaling up.

5G has the potential to transform the way we live, work, interact, commute, and play. It holds the key to unlock the many advantages of the fourth industrial revolution and to this end, it is expected to generate 20 million jobs. Furthermore, besides revolutionizing and advancing many existing traditional industries, 5G will also help create many new ones. The 5G revolution will ring in new growth avenues thereby transforming the socio-economic fabric of the country.