Introduction - 

Mobile wireless generation generally refers to a change in the nature of the system, speed, technology, frequency, data capacity, latency etc. Each generation has certain standards, different capacities, new techniques and new features which differentiate it from the previous technology.

First Generation (1G) mobile wireless communication network was analog and was used for voice calls only. Its basic features were – speed of 2.4kbps, voice calls in one country only, use analog signal, poor voice quality etc.

Second Generation (2G) is a digital technology and supports text messaging. Next to 2G. 2.5G system uses packet switched and circuit switched domain and provide data rate upto 144kbps e.g. GPRS, CDMA etc.

Third Generation (3G) mobile technology provided high data transmission rate, increased capacity and provided multimedia support. The aim of this technology was to provide high speed data and offers data services, access to television/videos, new services like Global Roaming etc. It used Wide Band Wireless Network with which clarity is increased.

Fourth Generation (4G) integrates 3G with fixed internet to support wireless mobile internet which is an evolution to mobile technology and it overcomes the limitations of 3G. Long Term Evolution (LTE) is considered 4G technology.

Features :-

• 5G is a wireless communication technology using radio waves or radio frequency (RF) energy to transmit and receive data.
• It is the next generation mobile networks technology after 4G LTE networks. 5G technologies will enter services gradually, beginning in 2019 and advance to a full range of services by 2024.
• The final standard for 5G will be set up by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
• Technical specification for 5G –high data rates (1 Gbps for hotspots, 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload for wide-area coverage ,massive connectivity (1 million connections per square kilometre), ultra-low latency (1 millisecond) ,high reliability (99.999% for mission critical ‘ultra-reliable’ communications), and Mobility at high speeds (up to 500 km/h i.e. high-speed trains).
• The technology is still a long way from becoming a reality but it has the potential to completely change the way we interact with wireless devices.

Advantages of 5G :-

• Faster Data Speed – Currently 4G networks are capable of achieving the peak download speed of one gigabit per second. With 5G the speed could be increased upto 10Gbps.
• Ultra-low latency – Latency refers to the time it takes for one device to send a packet of data to another device. In 4G the latency rate is around 50 milliseconds but 5G will reduce that to about 1 millisecond.
• A more Connected World – 5G will provide the capacity and bandwidth as per the need of the user to accommodate technologies such as Internet of Things. Thus, will help to incorporate Artificial Intelligence in our lives.
• As per the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Committee on Digital Economic Policy, 5G technologies rollout will help in increasing GDP, creating employment and digitizing the economy.
• The cumulative economic impact of 5G on India can reach one trillion USD by 2035. It will help aid incorporation of Artificial Intelligence in our lives and will enable Smart devices to exchange data seamlessly providing the ecosystem for Internet of Things (IoT).
• In agriculture, 5G can enable improvement in the entire value-chain, from precision farming, smart irrigation, improved soil and crop monitoring, to livestock management.
• In manufacturing, 5G will enable use of robotics for precision manufacturing, particularly where humans cannot perform these functions safely or accurately.
• In the energy sector, ‘smart grids’ and ‘smart metering’ can be efficiently supported. With the rise of renewable and storage technologies, low latency communications will be critical to manage these grids.
• Vehicle platooning can double vehicle density in roads promoting efficient and safer use of the limited road infrastructure.
• In health-care, 5G can enable more effective tele-medicine delivery, tele-control of surgical robotics and wireless monitoring of vital statistics.

Challenges :- 

• Integration of various standards – There are already multiple groups working to come up with standards around interoperability, backward compatibility with older technologies etc. Thus, standardization becomes a major challenge faced by 5G.
• Common Platform – There is no common architecture for interconnecting various engineering practices. Therefore, a common governing body should develop a common platform for all engineering practices.
• Building Infrastructure - It is a huge task, with issues around spectrum and installing new antennas.
• Obstacles – Like buildings, trees and even bad weather can cause interruptions which would require more base stations to be built to ensure better connections.
• India lacks a strong backhaul to transition to 5G. Backhaul is a network that connects cells sites to central exchange. As of now 80% of cell sites are connected through microwave backhaul, while under 20% sites are connected through fibre. The former has bandwidth issues as it uses traditional bands while the latter provides low latency and unlimited capacity (a prerequisite for 5G).
• The Indian market is yet to adapt to 4G completely and has not fully evolved to experience an AI revolution.

Key Recommendations : 

• The committee spells out three priority areas for India in 5G : Deployment – rolling out early, efficient and pervasive 5G networks  ,Technology – building India’s industrial and R&D capacity in 5G ,Manufacturing - expanding the manufacturing base in 5G for both semiconductor fabrication as well as assembly & test plants
• Spectrum Policy: India’s spectrum allocation for public wireless services should be enhanced significantly. Also, the cost of spectrum relative to per capita GDP is high and should come down.
•  Regulatory Policy: Three expert committees on business, security and safety segments to be created to develop clear guidelines on regulatory policy.
• Education and Awareness Promotion Program: The Committee recommends three initiatives: Attract global 5G conference events to India ,Set up national 5G events and Create a comprehensive skills development program.
• Setting up applications and Use Case Labs: It can provide multiple functions – interoperability, testing for new applications, fostering innovation, etc. within different economic sectors.
• Participation in International Standards:
• Short term initiatives like setting up ‘Standards Project Teams’ to participate in standards activities.
• Long term initiatives like expert committee should be constituted to recommend a ten year strategy for Information Technology Standards in India.
• Technology Demonstration and Major Trials: 5G trials will be an important learning opportunity for our Telecom Service Providers (TSP), academia and industry.
• Create a 5G Program Office within Department of Telecommunications and an Oversight Committe
• New civil infrastructure like highways, roads, canals and utilities(gas, electricity, water) lines should be mandated to provision Common Telecom Infrastructure resources such as ducting and power junction boxes to support 5G infrastructure.
• Security audits, a prerequisite for importing of equipment before deploying in Indian networks, needs to be simplified.