4G has seen a literal rampage of sorts in adoption rates here in India (thanks to Jio’s aggressiveness in pushing the service). And since that has obviously excited companies of a prospective roll out of 5G networks, we today have a confirmation of the same.
Nokia has inked MoUs with the major Indian telecos like Airtel and BSNL, for introduction of the 5G network here in India. Another motive behind these pacts signed by Nokia is to develop comprehensive solutions for efficient deployment by outperforming the present obstacles in hand with information provided by Airtel and BSNL.
Detailing the proposed plans, BSNL Chairman Anupam Shrivastava said (via ET),
After 4G, the future is 5G and IoT, which is useful in the concept such as smart cities… The MoU with Nokia will help BSNL to draw a framework for transition from the current network to futuristic 5G network.
To push the efforts further, Nokia will soon set up an Experience Center in Bengaluru to understand stakeholder requirements for 5G in India. The plans described by Nokia lines up with company’s statements at MWC 2017 wherein it announced its desire to leverage the 5G network by rolling out measures for its development in the coming times.
Other network equipment makers such as Ericsson are also interested in scoring the 5G industry in India. About a couple of weeks back, the company announced a collaboration with IIT-Delhi and introduced a ‘5G for India’ program in the country. Similar to Nokia, Ericsson will also establish a Centre of Excellence and Incubation Center equipped with a 5G test bed at IIT – Delhi. Post the establishment, the students at the institute would be able to carry out researches and track the development of 5G network in the country under the direction of Ericsson mentors.
Companies like Intel and ZTE are also racing up rapidly when compared with Ericsson or Nokia. Not only did ZTE unveil a 5G ready device christened ‘Gigabit phone’ at MWC but also partnered with Intel showing off industry-first 5G IT BaseBand Unit.
It will be interesting to see how these companies battle against each other in a 5G war which has been ignited in India. Apart from an oceanic userbase which the country possesses, India also houses some of the biggest telecom companies globally, and high spectrum availability. All these couple, will make it an interesting battle between network equipment makers. Multiple reports have claimed that India will get under 5G by 2022.
