India 5G Rollout
It is going to take another 12 months to roll out the 5G in India. Even though some countries have started to roll out 5G networks, the technology is still at its early stage where various use cases are still being developed.
For India, the 5G rollout “should be 12 to 18 months away, if not more,” Ahkil Gupta, Vice chairman of Bharti Enterprises told CNBC, adding that, in order to stay on top of the technology’s development around the world, the country should carry out various tests and trials.
“The Indian government has taken a decision to give the spectrum on trial basis. As operators, we’re preparing ourselves so that we can roll out as quickly as possible once there is a use case for India,” Gupta said.
India is expected to hold trials for installing a next generation 5G cellular network in the coming months.
When ask about India’s stand on Huawei, Gupta stated he is not sure the government and the Country’s Department of Telecommunication are looking at including potential security issues.
Huawei is considered to be one of the leading names in the race to develop 5G. The company is, however, facing mounting fears that its technology could enable Chinese espionage through those high-speed mobile networks. Countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan have restricted the Huawei’s participation in 5G development within their borders.
Huawei has repeatedly denied that its products represent any risk.
India has yet to take a stand on the matter. In July, the Nikkei business daily reported that Indian officials remain reluctant about letting Huawei participate in the country’s 5G development despite the Chinese company’s offer to sign a pledge guaranteeing its equipment will not contain any means to bypass normal security to gain access to a network.
But Beijing has apparently told India not to block Huawei from doing business in the country, warning New Delhi there could be consequences for Indian firms operating in China, Reuters reported this week.
“I think it’s a serious issue, which has been raised about security,” Gupta said. “I am sure the government of India and (Department of Telecommunications) are looking into all aspects. I guess we should give them ample time.”
He added that it is unlikely anything “untoward or hasty” will be done given the “solid India-China relations.”
“We’re confident that the government will come out with a very sound and a very fair decision,” he said, adding that Huawei, which is a supplier to Bharti Enterprises, has proved itself to be “kind of leading in terms of evolution of new technologies with their very robust road maps.”