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As per TRAI’s recent report (The Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators), with more than 833 million internet users, India has the world’s second-largest connected population, bolstered by a combination of low data tariffs and affordable smartphones and devices. The IAMAI Kantar ICUBE 2020 report states that the number is expected to grow by 45% to 900 million by 2025.
Industrial and customer adoption of 5G is expected to be a key contributor to India’s rapid digitalization. With data rates as high as 10 gigabits per second, lower latency, and higher reliability advantages – 5G can efficiently leverage the explosion of data in India. The fifth-generation mobile network has the power to revolutionize nearly every industry and completely redefine the way we live.
However, the road to 5G adoption is littered with misconceptions that need to be addressed to harness the power of this breakthrough technology for India’s digitalization. From underestimating the technology’s potential to fearing non-existent security threats, here are some myths about 5G – and the realities that show its promise.
Myth: 5G is just for phones
Reality: 5G will power a wide spectrum of devices and technologies
The technology underpinning 5G was created to connect a variety of devices, not just phones. It empowers the era of distributed intelligence, where artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, cloud, and the internet of things come together to bring about incredible innovation. The convergence of these powerful technologies in 5G makes it possible to unleash unlimited processing power on even the smallest devices.
When it comes to business benefits, 5G can unlock tremendous potential. By merging high-speed wireless networking with cloud, edge, and AI, even the tiniest of devices are capable of massive computing tasks. With an array of devices to choose from to connect their workforces, businesses will benefit from reliable connectivity for mission-critical services and real-time access to information and services with close to zero latency.
Myth: Deploying 5G doesn’t differ from previous generation deployment
Reality: 5G differs greatly from previous generations – and requires extensive network transformation
The current generation of the mobile device network – 4G – has structural limits that constrain its evolutionary path. This prevents 4G from evolving toward the lowest possible latency and greatest possible throughput. Breaking past these barriers and handling complex needs at scale, requires the new technologies that 5G is capable of connecting and enhancing.
Implementing a cloud architecture in 5G networks is key. On a factory floor, for example, 5G can connect sensors, industrial automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robots, machines, and floor workers across multiple locations. Multiply the number of connections needed by the number of factories in a city, and you can understand how essential 5G’s scalability is, compared to previous generations.
Myth: 5G will never truly live up to the hype
Reality: As network transformation evolves, 5G will continue on its accelerated path to reach its full potential over the next several years
In India, we are witnessing the dawn of the 5G era. While service providers are successfully conducting trials in different parts of the country, the commercial usage of 5G network is expected to begin in 2022.
The commercial rollout will instantaneously establish 5G in the country. Every cellular generation is deployed over multiple releases, improving the network, and enabling new features gradually over the years. In fact, it took around 10 years for the full potential of 4G to manifest. While the transition to 5G will take time, users will begin to see more and more new features on a rolling basis at an increasing pace.
Myth: The arrival of 5G will bring an uptick in security risks. | Reality: The industry has responded to potential risks with a steady increase in security controls and mechanisms to safeguard data and communications.
As with any paradigm shift, obstacles and issues continue to be addressed. But early on, the tech industry recognized the potential for new vulnerabilities associated with 5G’s heightened capacity and capabilities and has developed and integrated solutions in response.
There are numerous cryptographic operations that are performed on every byte of data. This is a result of data being cryptographically protected across different levels of network, software, and storage stacks. Security is vital as this data is sensitive and the operations involved are compute-intensive which is the backbone for critical business operations. Applications enabled by 5G are streamlining these heavy operations, and their unique demands are dictating how the network’s security architecture will be implemented.
In India, the deployment of 5G will impact key sectors like healthcare, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and vital civic projects like smart cities. As GSMA – India’s 5G Future Report states that 5G is expected to contribute around $455 billion to the Indian economy in the next two decades, 5G will stand out as more than just a new technology – it will lead to a decade of significant disruption in the technology landscape. The hyper-connected experience and distributed computing 5G supports will spur innovation, unlock exciting possibilities, and accelerate India’s journey towards meeting its digitalization vision.
Santhosh Viswanathan, Managing Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications Group, Intel India
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