An unstoppable rise, a dizzying advance in data-carrying capacity, a decrease in latency and over 40 years of a journey – that is how a revolutionary milestone from 1G to 5G in the telecommunication sector has been achieved. Every ten years since 1979, each newer generation has experienced a changed way of communication as it evolved exponentially. From becoming truly “mobile” with analogue technology in the late 80s to live streaming videos with 4G technology, the abbreviated “G” has shown us the unending potential of Data capacity in the faster world.
And as Union Electronics & IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the country’s first-ever 5G call at IIT Madras, India made a historic technological breakthrough in the telecom sector. The successful testing of this 5G call on an indigenously-developed network was done at the 5G Test Bed set up at the IIT Madras campus, which was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated on 17th May, marking an important step toward self-reliance in futuristic and modern technology in the telecom sector. A state-of-art, global best-in-class advanced Indigenous 5G Solution comprises gNB (a radio base station that connects 5G New Radio (NR) devices to the 5G core network) and Core Network. The 5G Test Bed is also equipped with CPE, a latest nBIoT ASIC chip, Advanced Use cases (IoT, Smart Meter, V2X), and Advanced Technology ( Lifi as a last-mile high-speed delivery mechanism, Multi-RAT Solution). Further, the Hardware and Software developed in the project are available to entities that would like to make commercial use of the IPs through flexible licensing models as per the policies of the concerned Institutes.
Notably, the Test Bed is available to research institutions, academia, government bodies and industry for various R&D, product development, and capacity development activities. The facility will be available at 5 different locations in the country.
Speaking at the TRAI’s silver jubilee event, PM Narendra Modi had said that estimates show that the 5G network rollout will add USD 450 billion to the Indian economy. Highlighting the role of the telecom sector in the progress of the country, he had also said that by the end of this decade, the country will be able to launch 6G services of its own. The prospects seem to be strong too given the pace at which studies and collaborative efforts are bringing the change. However, with research and technological finesse, that is being harnessed from accomplished technical institutes like IIT, India also needs foresightedness and congealed management strategies, in order to realise its growth endeavours. True advancement lies not only in ideological and technological fundamentals, but also in the form in which they are furthered, an addition that can be best experimented through solid planning, managerial and result-oriented approach. Top management institutes and think-tanks can play a massive role in carving out successful itenerary for such projects.
SHARE
