Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) the apex organisation for regulating the Telecom Sector in India has released a Consultation Paper on Digital Transformation through 5G Ecosystem.
The telecom sector is undergoing a massive transformation with the advent of 5G in the market by top Telcos. However, there are many setbacks and holdovers we need to overcome before we can use the full potential of 5G.
The Consultation Paper is issued to accept comments from the Public and Stakeholders to create an effective 5G Eco System.
Need for Mobile Broadband Connectivity
The Internet become an important part of everyone as it provides all the information at the fingertip. Moreover, the advent of 4G through the mobile network made the internet accessible to the nooks and corners of the country.
Thus society as a whole is improving despite their geographical location. As everyone has a smartphone these days, mobile broadband will give access to data in a much faster manner.
As per the consultation paper Government to provide better connectivity throughout the country has created the following programs.
- Broadband Highways – include Broadband for all in Urban and Rural areas and National Information Infrastructure.
- Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity: The Initiative is to focus on network penetration and cover the uncovered villages with a project cost of USD 1900 million.
- Public Internet Access Programme: The BharatNet project provides fiber connectivity to villages. Thus, for digital delivery of e-services, 535,000 Common Service Centres are open now.
- e-Governance: Government Business Process Re-engineering using IT to improve transactions and e-services.
- e-Kranti – Electronic Delivery of Services: 31 Mission Mode Projects to establish e-Governance in all Ministries/Departments including e-Courts and e-Prosecution.
- Information for All: An Open Data platform and online hosting of information and documents would facilitate open and easy access to information for citizens.
- Electronic Manufacturing: Target is net zero import.
- IT for Jobs: focuses on providing training to the youth in the skills required for availing employment opportunities in the IT/ITES sector.
- Early Harvest Programmes: consists of those projects which are to be implemented within a short timeline.
Benefits of the 5G Ecosystem
High-speed mobile broadband is helping many industries and sectors by providing fast and valuable services. Thus the 5G Eco system provides the following benefits to the public.
- Edge Computing: The classic computers rely on the cloud servers for doing the heavy load works. This is to avoid a slow connection speed, but with the 5G the data processing can be done at a device level. Hence the processing time will be reduced with edge computing.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI is recent times making a lot of buzz and has the potential to improve every sector. Thus it can be utilized in service sectors to improve the quality and response time.
- Internet of Things(IOT): The Internet of Things (IOT) provides alternate ways to do things with the help of the Internet. Data transfer, video conferences, digital marketing, and E-commerce are some examples. Therefore it is providing a better lifestyle to the public.
- Metaverse (Augmented / Virtual / Mixed Reality (AR/VR/MR)): The metaverse refers to the Virtual Reality technology. But it does not stop with the VR and also provides better virtual models in space and quantum research.
Queries on Trai’s Digital Transformation Consultation Paper
The following are some of the important queries raised in the consultation paper on Digital transformation through 5G Eco System.
- Is there a need for additional measures to further strengthen the cross-sector collaboration for the development and adoption of 5G use cases in India?
- Do you anticipate any barriers in the development of an ecosystem for 5Guse cases, that need to be addressed?
- IoT security challenges and requirements vary significantly across different industry verticals. Is there a need to develop sector-specific IoT security and privacy guidelines?
- What are the policy measures required to create awareness and promote the use of Metaverse?
- Any other related issues if not mentioned in the above questions.
The questions are for a simple representation of the paper. Hence for complete details please read the consultation paper.
Conclusion
The need for high-speed data is imminent for creating a better infrastructure for the future. But it does not necessarily mean you can sacrifice any good for it. Thus the TRAI with this consultation paper requests the public and stakeholders to provide a better regulatory framework. So as to give seamless and more protected service to improve the public’s life and the country’s growth.
The consultation paper is open for comments till October 30, 2023, and counter comments are accepted till November 13, 2023.