India is no longer just a consumer of technology but a contributor to its development too.

– Prime Minister Narendra Modi (while launching 5G services – 1 Oct 2022)

While the above statement instills hope for a developing nation aspiring to technological revolution, the global paradigm manifests a stark irony for India.

Basically, in layman’s terms, any telecom architecture consists of three basic parameters:-

A Device (held by the user),
Network (vended by the service provider), and
The Linking Interface (which is either wired or wireless).

So, primarily any upgrade in the quality of service requires modification in all three parameters.

However, the wired interface can easily install and upgrade modifications in the quality of service, because a small change in the network infrastructure and the device configuration shall comply.

While a wireless interface needs an additional modification in the architecture of the linking parameter.

These parameters in case of internet service or mobile communication are:-

Device – Laptop (with router or dongle) and Smartphone (with the suitable processor).
Network – Satellites, Radio towers, and servers.
Linking interface – Optical cables, SIM cards.

This is a broader picture to understand the progress of our nation in the field of 5G technology.

India in the ocean of 5G

In terms of 5G India possesses none of the above parameters indigenously, they are completely or partially imported.

Uncovering the reality behind the 5G architecture of India

Devices:-

Although, Lava mobiles is the only indigenous brand to release 5 G-enabled devices (the first in India), the processor which decides the network configuration of the device is an imported part.

Lava Agni (available brand) uses Mediatek processor which is a Taiwan company.

The other 5G chip manufacturing companies are:-

1. Qualcomm Snapdragon – China.
2. Samsung Exynos – South Korea.
3. Hisilicon and Huawei – China.

Thus, India doesn’t possess any semiconductor chip manufacturing company, this is the reason why the U.S is defending “Taiwan (against China)” and “South Korea (against North Korea)“.

Network:-

India has three major network vendors which are just stepping into 5G, they are Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone.

But, these companies again are working in partnership with other foreign companies.

ISP Company	Partnership company and nation	Region of trial
1) Airtel	Ericsson (Sweden)	Rajasthan
2) Vodafone Idea	Huawei (China)	Delhi NCR
	Nokia (Finland)	Gujarat
	ZTE (China)	Patna
	Ericsson (Sweden)	Pune
3) Reliance Jio	Samsung (South Korea)	Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Varanasi

Source – Strategic Front Forum

Linking interface:-

When it comes to the question of a 5G SIM Card, a 4G LTE SIM Card can manage to vend 5G speed with moderate efficiency.

However, for optimal efficiency, it is recommended to use a Standalone 5G (SA 5G) SIM Card. But the SA 5G is a top-tier service where all the network infrastructure is built on the 5G architecture.

This network offers almost zero latency, unparalleled speed, and enhanced network coverage indoors.

SA 5G is an expensive technology, and it will take many years for carriers to implement it around the world.

5G leader nations

India stepped in the 5G race won by China — Image source – Strategy Analytics and Dell’Oro Group

The Chinese operated Huawei holds global clout in the 5G market, with increasing subscribers regularly. Although China is infamously popular for its security concern in its cyber technology, nations prefer it widely.

Around 30% of the nations yet depend on Huawei for 5G services, and India is one among the nations in dilemma. Huawei is more affordable and simple to install compared to other systems.

Huawei outperforms all other competitors in the technological parameters making it widely preferred.

India has a long way to travel in the world of 5G, presently more than 70% of the nations around the world are in the 5G era, while India is one among the other few nations which have just invested in 5G technology.