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What is 5G

Mobile networks have seen a major transformation since the launch of the first-generation mobile services, which were capable of transmitting only voice calls. The current generation of mobile networks (fourth-generation, or 4G) is adept in handling higher data speeds required for multimedia streaming, besides providing basic network operations like voice calls, messages and web browsing. However, with the changing connectivity needs, rising mobile data traffic and a new category of connected-ecosystem products, there is a need for yet newer generation of mobile network that can provide even higher data speeds at low latency and enhanced throughput to handle more simultaneous connections without causing disruptions. And, this is exactly what 5G telephony is all about.
 
As the name suggests, 5G is the fifth-generation cellular network technology. It is designed to improve network connections by addressing the legacy issues of speed, latency and utility, which the earlier generations and the current generation of mobile networks could not address. 5G is promised to deliver data speed at a rate 100 times faster than 4G networks. Importantly, it is designed to transmit data almost instantly with a network latency of less than 10ms. It will also have an enhanced throughput to handle more simultaneous connections at a time than current-generation networks.
 
Globally, 5G network deployment is rapidly moving from trials to early commercialisation. In India, network operators like Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio, etc, have already partnered with vendors like Ericsson, Huawei and Samsung for planned trials sometime by the end of this year, before the service’s forecast commercial rollout in 2020. According to the GSM Association, a trade body that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, the following developments have taken place in India on the 5G front:
 
1. Bharti Airtel and Huawei have successfully conducted India’s first 5G network trial under a test setup at Airtel’s network experience centre in Manesar, Gurgaon, achieving a user throughput of more than 3 Gbps. Bharti Airtel has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nokia and Ericsson to support the company in its preparations for 5G rollout.
 
2. Vodafone Idea has also proposed 5G trials with multiple vendors, including Huawei and Ericsson.
 
3. Samsung will conduct 5G field trials in New Delhi in 2019, and is working closely with the DoT. The company is also likely to be one of Reliance Jio's partners for its 5G field trials.
 
4. BSNL has signed an MoU with Ciena to conduct field trials with the goal of a commercial launch by 2020. Ciena and BSNL intend to jointly evaluate fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul transport-based use cases and scenarios to address resilience requirements and latency concerns.

Latest Updates on 5G

Ericsson to deploy gear for Bharti Airtel's transition to standalone 5G

Airtel is expected to soon move to 5G SA for fixed wireless access service

Updated On: 25 Feb 2025 | 11:27 PM IST

Bharti Airtel's capital expenditure to moderate in FY26: MD Gopal Vittal

Vittal said the telco had 120 million 5G customers at December-end, lower than Reliance Jio's 170 million. AIrtel's 5G user base has taken to 2 GB per day plans, driving monetization, Vittal said

Updated On: 07 Feb 2025 | 10:36 PM IST

Telecom spectrum in 6-Ghz band key to avoid 5G radio wave crunch: COAI

Wifi service providers have been demanding de-licensing of spectrum in 6 Ghz, which will make the wave useful for providing internet services

Updated On: 14 Jan 2025 | 12:59 PM IST

AT&T expects over $18 bn in cash flow in 2027, driven by 5G, fiber services

Shares of the company rose more than 4 per cent during the session to their highest level since May 2021

Updated On: 04 Dec 2024 | 9:55 AM IST

Nokia, Microsoft Azure extend multi-year deal for data centre scalability

As part of the agreement, Nokia will supply its 7250 IXR-10e platform to ensure multi-terabit interconnectivity within Microsoft's data centres

Updated On: 21 Nov 2024 | 5:20 PM IST

Reliance Jio tops in mobile data traffic globally, driven by 5G adoption

Reliance Jio has secured its position as the world's top mobile data provider for the third straight quarter, driven by a robust 5G rollout and significant subscriber growth

Updated On: 30 Oct 2024 | 5:04 PM IST

India's 5G speed drops amid soaring data consumption and need for spectrum

According to Ookla overall median download speeds in the country have fallen by 15 per cent from 107.03 mbps in April -June to 91.7 in July- September of CY 2024

Updated On: 20 Oct 2024 | 10:35 PM IST

Majority of 5G network users experience reduction in call drop: Survey

According to the survey, 53 per cent of smartphone users surveyed say the call drop or connect situation has improved after migrating from 3G and 4G to 5G services

Updated On: 14 Oct 2024 | 10:13 PM IST

India advances in 6G race, ranks among top six in global patent filings

Starting Oct 15, Delhi will host the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly providing a forum for delegates from 190 countries

Updated On: 13 Oct 2024 | 11:42 PM IST

India emerges as second-largest global 5G smartphone market, overtakes US

China leads the global 5G smartphone market with a 32 per cent share, followed by India with 13 per cent, while the US has dropped to third place with 10 per cent

Updated On: 06 Sep 2024 | 11:17 PM IST

Nationwide 5G radio count crosses the 450,000 mark, shows DoT data

Officials said the 5-lakh mark would be optimal for nationwide 5G coverage

Updated On: 27 Aug 2024 | 5:31 PM IST

BSNL to roll out 4G, 5G-ready over-the-air, universal SIM platform

Over-the-air (OTA) and Universal SIM (USIM) platform provides BSNL mobile subscribers with flexibility to choose mobile numbers on fly and enables SIM replacement without geographical restrictions

Updated On: 09 Aug 2024 | 10:48 PM IST

Airtel begins re-farming mid-band spectrum to meet growth in 5G traffic

The 5G subscriber bases of both Airtel and Jio are rising at a fast clip. Airtel had about 72 million 5G subscribers, while rival Jio had 108 million subscribers as of March end

Updated On: 29 Jul 2024 | 7:54 PM IST

Budget 2024: Customs duty hike to increase costs for 4G, 5G network rollout

Union Budget 2024: The increase in basic customs duty on printed circuit board assemblies from 10% to 15% can help create a robust telecom equipment manufacturing ecosystem in India

Updated On: 24 Jul 2024 | 12:02 PM IST

Redmi 13: What to expect from Xiaomi's 5G smartphone launching on July 9

The Redmi 13 5G will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor and will pack a 5,030 mAh battery, noted Xiaomi in a preview page on its website and e-commerce platform Amazon India

Updated On: 05 Jul 2024 | 1:06 PM IST

Jio, Airtel 5G pricing surge: Consumers to spend Rs 47,500 cr more annually

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have taken decisive measures to effectively monetise 5G, significantly raising costs for consumers seeking premium next-generation mobile broadband

Updated On: 29 Jun 2024 | 10:16 AM IST

Vivo T3 Lite budget 5G smartphone with 50MP AI camera launched in India

The Vivo T3 Lite 5G will be available for purchase from July 4 on the company's official India website, e-commerce platform Flipkart, and at select retail stores

Updated On: 27 Jun 2024 | 2:34 PM IST

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G goes on sale at 12 pm: Price, introductory offers

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G will be available online on the company's India website, Store app, and e-commerce platform Amazon India, and offline at select retail stores

Updated On: 27 Jun 2024 | 10:14 AM IST

Vodafone Idea in talks with Samsung to expand 4G, 5G with vRAN solutions

Encouraged by the favourable trial outcomes and performance matching on par with current suppliers, Vodafone Idea has extended Samsung deployments to the Karnataka and Bihar regions

Updated On: 26 Jun 2024 | 5:26 PM IST

Rs 96,000 crore telecom 5G spectrum auction to start today: Check details

Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea are likely to jointly invest Rs 12,500 crore in spectrum purchases, representing around 13% of the total Rs 96,320 crore worth of airwaves on offer

Updated On: 25 Jun 2024 | 9:35 AM IST