Just over a decade ago, it was almost unimaginable to live in the world we live in today, with technology taking the centre stage and permeating every aspect of our lives. In the communications tech world, after 2G and 3G, the world switched to the 4G way of functioning. But now, as is the case with technology always, there’s something even better than the 4G technology that will usher in a new dawn of technological revolution in the country – the 5G technology.
Imagine a world where every video streams without buffering, where we can communicate through video conferencing from any corner of the world, the same as now, sans technical difficulties, slow networks, zero lags and delays. That world will be here soon, thanks to 5G, the 5th generation of wireless tech used to support mobile phones and tablets.
Recently, on 1 October 2022, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 5G service in the country at the inaugural ceremony of the IMC (Indian Mobile Congress) 2022. He stressed, “India will lead the Industry 4.0 revolution with 5G at the helm.” 5G is expected to be a game-changer for the entire world, and India is no exception. Here’s how the new technology will revolutionize and enhance India’s digital transformation journey.
The statistics
The last few years have seen digitization increase by leaps and bounds across the country. Greater internet proliferation, rising smartphone usage and affordable mobile data have helped people become more tech-savvy and the introduction of 5G will further intensify the digital wave in the country. According to experts, 5G will have a cumulative economic impact of US$ 1 trillion by 2035 and can deliver an additional GDP of US$ 150 billion for the country between 2025 and 2040. This can give India the boost it requires to achieve its goal of becoming a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2025.
Ushering in a new era
For the manufacturing and surveillance industries, and Industry 4.0
Amid the Industry 4.0 revolution, the manufacturing sector will likely experience a significant boost with the launch of 5G services. Industry players can expect reduced costs, lower downtime, minimum wastage and enhanced productivity, thanks to the fast connectivity that 5G will offer. The new technology will also result in lower logistics costs, which are significantly higher in India than in other countries, to 5% from the current 13-14%.
Similarly, for the transport and mobility segment, 5G’s arrival will result in quicker establishment of a robust EV infrastructure across the country. This will reduce the overall cost of EVs and encourage EV adoption among people. Furthermore, in terms of safety and surveillance, 5G is expected to exponentially increase the safety quotient when integrated with CCTV cameras in public spaces, mines, offshore setups and other areas where risky industrial operations take place.
For the consumers
At present, almost all of us use 4G networks on our smartphones, which, although quick and efficient, still have some setbacks. 5G, however, will lead to an increase the data speed, taking it from 4G’s 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps. For those residing in remote areas with significantly lesser coverage than those in urban/suburban regions, 5G will lead the digital transformation from the front. The leading-edge tech will provide seamless, hassle-free network coverage in India’s hinterlands while upping energy, spectrum and network efficiency.
Additionally, 5G can work wonders when it comes to providing an immersive entertainment experience. For instance, be it live music festivals or sporting events, 5G is bound to elevate the entire experience by providing high-speed data and facilitating easy usage of AR/VR on smartphones, apart from other new applications.
Summing up
While 5G technology has been launched in the country, its full-fledged integration can take some time. However, over the next couple of years, we can certainly expect 5G to progressively be adopted across India. Undeniably, 5G will act as a catalyst, a driver and a facilitator of India’s next phase of digital transformation.