The Reality of 5G in India: Is 2020 the Year?

No, India does not require 5G in 2020. Even though the latest flagship smartphone processors such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 support NR New Radio, which could foster widespread 5G adoption, the smartphone industry continues to prioritize New Radio support for marketing purposes rather than practical necessity. However, it is fascinating to observe the ongoing efforts to upgrade the device ecosystem in the country even before the introduction of 5G.

Is the World Ready for 5G?

As much as the global tech landscape is improving with 2G, 3G, and 4G, the transition to 5G is not as urgent or necessary as it might appear. 2G, 3G, and 4G have served the world well, and the same is expected for India. While the adoption of 4G is still in progress in many parts of India, it would be premature to demand a transition to 5G in 2020. The technology is still evolving, and by 2021, much of India might be better prepared for it.

Practical Considerations and Economic Benefits

From an economic perspective, the introduction of 5G would undoubtedly bring about significant changes, including new job opportunities and increased revenue. Operators like Jio have the financial means to invest in the 5G spectrum auction, whereas others like Airtel and Vodafone Idea might hold back on substantial investments, as 4G infrastructure is yet to fully depreciate.

However, the perspective of need is completely different. The potential for wasted data and over-engineering the technological landscape cannot be overlooked. For instance, in a household of multiple smartphone users, with daily usage averaging 1.5 GB per user and the availed benefits of existing WiFi and mobile data, the true utility of 5G may not be immediately apparent.

Current State and Future Prospects

Currently, vendor gear is undergoing testing, making it challenging to predict when 5G will be fully rolled out in India. Given the country's concerns about national security and the lengthy regulatory processes involved, it may take several more years before 5G becomes a reality. As of now, Huawei is permitted to show trial deployments, indicating that the momentum is building, but it is still not clear if 2020 will mark the year of 5G in India.

Early this year, Harshamoy Mukherjee, a prominent Indian tech analyst, emphasized that it would be premature to predict the specific timeline for 5G in India. The journey is far from over, and while 5G will undoubtedly bring technological improvements, the practical utility of such a transition in 2020 is questionable.

Given these factors, it is safe to say that 5G is more likely to be in India by 2022. The actual rollout will depend on infrastructure development, regulatory clarity, and a more unified approach to technology adoption.