Despite the plethora of high-speed broadband services available in the country, many people wonder if India is prepared for the future of the internet. The answer, of course, depends on the evolution of the internet, which is moving from 4G to 5G and eventually to 6G. This article looks at some key technologies that will form the basis for future networks. It also provides some insight into the potential benefits that can be expected from these technologies.
mmWave 5G
Several industries and technologies are expected to benefit from mmWave enabled 5G. The manufacturing, retail, and ICT sectors are expected to be impacted the most. The impact is estimated at around $450 billion over the next thirty years. It is about 0.6% of the country’s GDP.
The Indian government is considering whether to allocate or sell the mmWave spectrum. This decision will affect the mobility use cases and the telcos’ Capex plans for 5G.
Several telecom operators believe that more than the 175MHz being auctioned will be needed to roll out 5G services. They have already started to trial several network applications. Most users will not need a 1 Gbps mmWave 5G speed. A good LTE connection can reach 200Mb/s.
Using mmWave will enable ultra-low latency and high-speed 5G applications. It will help the government’s Digital India program and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) initiative. It will also provide capacity in high-demand public spaces.
Non-standalone mode
Whether you are a mobile network operator or a mobile phone manufacturer, deciding to use a Non-Standalone or Standalone mode for 5G will be based on various factors. These include network coverage, cost, speed advantage, and customer requirements. These factors are not necessarily “either/or.”
Most operators have begun their 5G rollout journey with NSA deployment. It is a great option for service providers with many existing network assets. It allows operators to take advantage of existing infrastructure and speed up their time to market.
On the other hand, SA offers greater flexibility for tapping new 5G use cases. It allows operators to slice the network into customized virtual segments. It also allows them to monetize the network differently. It can also provide low latencies and high Internet speeds. It will also allow them to bring in new vendors for 5G.
However, some operators prefer to transition from 4G to standalone 5G. It allows them to avoid the costs of upgrading from NSA to SA.
Edge computing
Traditionally, the computing paradigm has been based on centralized data centers. Today, this model is being challenged by the growth of the IoT, which drives an endless stream of real-world data. The traditional computing paradigm is not designed to process this data.
Edge computing moves computing resources closer to the source of data. This approach provides several advantages. For instance, bandwidth costs are reduced by 70%, and latency issues are avoided. It can also improve traffic flow control.
Edge computing is deployed in several industries, including manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare. It can help to reduce data transfer time, as well as maintain data security. In addition, it can enable predictive analysis in near-real time.
Edge computing is used in the industrial realm to monitor manufacturing processes. It helps to improve quality and reduce errors. It is also being used to increase the capacity of autonomous vehicles.
Future 6G networks
Several companies, including IBM, Huawei, Nokia, and Samsung, have committed to research and development (R&D) on 6G. The technology is expected to reach the market by the decade’s end. However, there are still several challenges for India’s 6G network to overcome.
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plans to set up a 22-member task force to focus on developing domestic 6G technology. The task force is expected to be formed in November 2021.
India’s 6G network will be designed to benefit both people and the environment. It will include technologies such as edge computing, which will help ensure high throughput and low latency. It should also provide more security and be more energy efficient than 5G.
The future 6G standard will also be part of a carbon neutrality strategy. The standard will be published around 2028. The standard will include energy efficiency indicators and serve as a foundation for a carbon neutrality strategy.
