5G to make India a global hub for manufacturing, supply chain and R&D

New Delhi: 5G in India will empower tech companies, enterprises and ecosystem players to build private networks and bring next-generation digital transformation which is critical for the country to achieve the goal of becoming a $1 trillion digital economy, industry leaders and experts said on Wednesday.
Hailing the Union Cabinet’s decision to approve the telecom department’s proposal to conduct 5G spectrum by the end of next month, Broadband India Forum (BIF) said that this will lead to better efficiencies, productivity and output for the enterprises, accelerate digitisation, boost capabilities, propel indigenous manufacturing and eventually garner greater economic gains for the country.
“As we look to cement India’s position as a global hub for manufacturing, supply chain and R&D, as well as one of the leading digital economies across the world, the advancement of enterprises through dedicated captive private 5G networks will help gain efficiencies in all vital industry verticals,” said TV Ramachandran, BIF President.
Private 5G networks are about the deployment of high speed, enhanced data capacity, and ultra-low latency applications inside a closed manufacturing unit, hospital, airport, shipping port, etc.
The Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the spectrum auction, released on Wednesday, permits all the four methods of allocating spectrum for Private 5G Networks as recommended by the Telecom Authority of India (TRAI), including the option of enterprises obtaining spectrum directly from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT).
This provides enterprises the much-required right to develop their private 5G networks based on the specialised requirements for their distinctive captive use, said the BIF.