5G is the next big thing in the world of communications
and technology and is expected to revolutionize the way we use
smartphones, enjoy zero-latency gaming, harness the power of the Internet of
Things, and make VR gaming a reality in India. But all that is on just the
consumer side of things. 5G has enterprise applications too, from the use of
robotics surgery in healthcare to faster-than-ever edge computing for
businesses to improving civic networks in major cities. However, going by the
way things are going at the moment, it looks like 5G in India might not end up
being as big a deal as we expect it to be. In fact, the numerous 5G phones
launching in India every month probably won’t even be able to leverage the full
potential of the ultra-high-speed network in the country.
Indian telecom operators are asking the telecom department to ensure optimum availability of spectrum in the 3300-3600 mid band earmarked for 5G Services. They said that the current availability of just 175 MHz for all service providers is "grossly inadequate" and would adversely impact the 5G rollout in the country. The GSMA, a global trade organization that represents mobile operators, recommends that regulators and government agencies that control 5G spectrum allocation make 80-100 MHz of contiguous spectrum available per operator in prime 5G bands and about 1 GHz of spectrum per operator available in millimeter wave bands.
But spectrum is a scarce resource and that means that
wireless operators around the world are most likely going to have to use a mix
of low-band, mid-band, and high-band spectrum to deliver the type of 5G
experience that their customers demand.
Low-band spectrum is any
spectrum that is lower than 1 GHz on the spectrum chart. Early wireless
networks, often referred to as analog cellular, were deployed in low-band 800
MHz spectrum.
At the time operators
often referred to low-band spectrum as “beachfront property” because it was so
desirable. Wireless carriers could serve thousands of customers within hundreds
of square miles with just one tower.
In a 5G world, low-band
spectrum will make it possible for operators to provide a wide-swath of
coverage but it also means that the speed and latency of the 5G network will
probably only be incrementally better than what is delivered with 4G networks.
Much of the 5G network’s performance will depend upon your proximity to the
cell site. However, low-band spectrum does make it easier for the wireless
signal to penetrate windows and walls.
In December T-Mobile
launched 5G service in the 600 MHz spectrum band. The company said its network
is available nationwide and covers approximately 200 million people. T-Mobile
also plans to supplement its low-band 5G coverage with service in the
millimeter wave band.
Globally a 5G operator is
generally assigned a contiguous block of 100 MHz of spectrum in the mid-band.
Kochar said that if 175 MHz spectrum is
auctioned, then each private operator can potentially get an equal share of 60
MHz and such a situation will lead to limiting the usage of this band for 4G
only and would adversely impact the rollout of 5G services in the country.
COAI has also urged the DoT to ensure at least
400 MHz per telco in mmwave bands (26, 28, 37 GHz) and at least 2x10MHz per
operator in sub-GHz bands 600MHz and 700MHz.
Not all 5G-bands are made
equal
When
you think of 5G, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? I could be
preaching to a choir here but 5G, for the most part, is synonymous with
incredibly fast connectivity speeds that will allow users to download movies
and games in the blink of an eye. While that’s true, it doesn’t quite outline
the whole story. You see, 5G comprises numerous bands that are distributed
across a wide array of frequency spectrums. Correspondingly, the 5G
connectivity advertised online and on TV isn’t necessarily the same as what
most users will get to experience down the line.
5G
is primarily divided into three different groups — low band, mid-band, and
high-band — as explained below:
• Low-band
and mid-band signify frequencies under 6GHz and, therefore, come under the
sub-6GHz network umbrella. These networks have longer range (distance for
coverage) but slower speeds.
• High-band
(also known as ultra wide-band or mmWave) comprises frequencies greater than
24GHz. This tech delivers significantly faster speeds but doesn’t have much
range.
Now,
bear in mind that your current 4G LTE network also comes under the sub-6GHz
umbrella, since its frequency bands for the same top at around 2-3GHz.
Correspondingly, while sub-6GHz 5G networks will offer faster download speeds
than your run-of-the-mill LTE connection, the difference won’t be night and
day. Think of it something like 4G LTE+, where the Plus signifies an extra
boost of speed but not the blazing-fast speeds we have been promised by
companies.
It’s
actually the mmWave 5G tech that has the potential to change the way we
interact online, offering never-seen-before download and upload speeds, along
with minimal latency and much higher bandwidth which mitigates network
congestion. In other words, mmWave 5G is ideally deployed in areas with a lot
of footfall i.e airports, stadiums, etc.
Spectrum determines 5G speed and coverage
Spectrum will play a key
role in the type of 5G service that operators will be able to provide to their
customers. High-band spectrum may give you blazing fast speeds and lots of
capacity —but only if you are close to the cell site. Low-band may provide excellent
coverage but the network performance may only be a small step up from 4G.
One thing you can count on in the coming years is that
operators will continue to fine-tune their 5G networks by expanding existing
coverage, making additional spectrum purchases, and taking advantage of new
technologies. Spectrum may be a finite resource but innovation is not.
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