5G shouldn’t be rolled out in a hurry(Mint)

Mains Paper 3: Science and Tech
Prelims level:5G
Mains level: Challenges towards implementation of 5G technology in India

Context:

• In April 2019, South Korea became the first country in the world to roll-out a nationwide 5G network. 5G is key for countries looking to capitalize on future technology.

Context to India:

• India’s National Digital Communications Policy 2018 highlights the importance of 5G when it states that the convergence of a cluster of revolutionary technologies including 5G, the cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics,..............................................

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What is 5G?

• 5G is the next generation of mobile broadband that will eventually replace, or at least augment 4G LTE connection.
• 5G offers exponentially faster download and upload speeds.
• 5G will deliver multi-Gbps peak rates, ultra-low latency, massive capacity, and a more uniform user experience.
• Latency, or the time it takes devices to communicate with wireless networks, will also drastically decrease.
• A government panel report points out that with 5G, the peak network data speeds are expected to be in the range of 2-20 Gigabit per second (Gbps).
• This is in contrast to 4G link speeds in averaging 6-7 Megabit per second (Mbps) in India as compared to 25 Mbps in advanced countries.
• KPMG in its report, released at the Indian Mobile Congress 2019, predicts the cumulative impact of 5G in India at $1 trillion by 2035.

Uses of 5G:

• 5G will help in creating cyber-physical networks which not only interconnect people, but also interconnect and control machines, objects, and devices. It will deliver new levels of performance and efficiency that will empower new user experiences and connect new industries.
• Due to high-speed, high-reliability, ...............................................................

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Why should India not hurry rollout of 5G?

Expensive Enabling Infrastructure:

• Besides the spectrum, 5G will require a fundamental change to the core architecture of the communication system. The major flaw of data transfer using 5G is that it can't carry data over longer distances. Hence, 5G needs to be augmented to enable infrastructure.
• A report on 5G by Deloitte stated that rolling out 5G might require an additional investment of $60-70 billion.
• Simply upgrading the existing long-termevolution core will not be able to support the various requirements of all 5G use cases.

5G-A Critical Infrastructure:

• 5G due to its expansive applications forms the part of critical infrastructure. This makes the consequences of the networks failing or being deliberately sabotaged in a cyber-attack significantly more serious.
• Critical infrastructure is the body of systems, networks and assets that are so essential that their continued operation is required to ensure the security of a given nation, its economy, and the public's health and/or safety.
• Huawei is a Chinese firm that owns the majority of 5G technology in the world. However, 5G is critical infrastructure, India is of view that any dependence on China for critical infrastructure could compromise India's security.

Financial Hurdles:

• Telecom industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has also expressed concerns about the financial health of the telecom sector (AGR issue).
• The COAI has also pointed out that 5G is overpriced by at least 30% to 40% compared to international standards and auction in other markets such as South Korea and the U.S.
• Additionally, the debt-ridden telecom industry of the country has indicated apprehension towards even bidding for 5G airwaves given their weak financial situation.

Price Sensitivity:

• Device cost is of relevance to a price-sensitive market such as ours.
• 5G smartphone models are ....................................

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Way Forward:

• Regulatory frameworks will also need to evolve to keep pace with this change. In this context, there is a need for India to enact a data protection law.
• There is a need to set up universal standards and procedure for seamless integration of services and infrastructure under 5G.
• In order to deal with the concern of technical companies (like in case of Huawei) leaking critical information, a “no-backdoor” agreement with the Indian government and telecom companies will ensure that no snooping is allowed on its network.
• In order to mitigate initial high cost for establishing enabling infrastructure for 5G, base stations might move to drones or balloons to ensure that the Internet of Everything is also the Internet of Everywhere.
• This new revolution will take access to connectivity and, through it, access to knowledge to vast sections of the population, and entire geographies that have been cut off so far.
• India needs to invest in research and development in technologies related to critical infrastructure and strive to indigenize them as soon as possible.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the foreign direct investment, consider the following statements:
1. The Union Cabinet has recently decided to allow Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who are Indian nationals to own up to 100% stake of Air India.
2. Through FDI automatic route the non-resident or Indian company does not require prior nod of the RBI or government of India for FDI.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: ........................

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Mains Questions:
Q.1) 5G is the key that every forward-looking countries can do capitalize on future technology. However, India should pursue its rollout with a little caution. Comment.