5G Likely In India By 2021: Nokia

Barcelona: India could get 5G network in the next two years, Nokia’s CEO Rajiv Suri has said.

He said that after leading markets like the US, South Korea, China, emerging markets including India, Latin America, and certain developed markets will see roll out of 5G by 2021.

According to Nokia Bell lab study, business opportunity for telecom from 5G technology is expected to double from $ 500 billion to $ 1 trillion by 2028, and it will enable productivity growth to historical levels.

“Between 2028-33, similar gains will be seen in the US as experienced in 1950s in the range of 30-35 per cent. Not just the United States, China and India could see similar productivity gains,” Suri said.

He added that Internet of Things technology will be a critical factor to drive growth in 5G business.

Earlier, billionaire Mukesh Ambani, whose venture Reliance Jio has brought a major disruption in the telecome sector, had indicated that 5G would be rolled out soon.

Recent reports had, however, suggested that 5G rollout could be delayed as certain countries had blocked the purchase of 5G equipment from Huawei, and it could also lead to higher cost of the providing 5G services. The concern was raised with regards to Huawei getting the highest number of patents on 5G services than other company, and the matter taking a political colour.

Dismissing all such reports, Suri said “5G is an ecosystem. It is not a copyrigh”. He added that “no single company decides how and when it (5G) develops; and its deployment is not dependent on any one company”.

Huawei had on Sunday said that India has the potential to become the largest 5G market after China for the whole industry in the coming 10 years.

“We know India is an important emerging market. From the long term perspective, I personally believe that the Indian 5G market will be a huge market and will be second only to China,” James Wu, president, Southern -East Asia region at Huawei Technologies had said.

(With agency inputs)