June 4 (India Today) – The 5G wave is coming to India sooner than one can imagine. On Monday, the new telecom minister under ModiSarkar2 Ravi Shankar Prasad said that 5G trials will start in the country by next 100 days. Prasad said that the next spectrum auctions will include 5G airwaves will also be held in this calendar year. For the unknown, Prasad took charge of the ministry of communications and minister for information technology, law and justice in ModiSarkar2 on Monday. And the decision of starting 5G trials was announced soon after Prasad took charge.
Besides talking about 5G trials and its future in India Prasad also throws some light whether or not Huawei will be a part 5G wave in India. Prasad said he and his ministry will take a serious look into Huawei matter and then decide whether the company will be allowed to participate in 5G trials or not.
“Participation of 5G is not conditional on the trial being started. Whether a company is allowed to participate or not is a complex question, including security issues,” Prasad said. Further commenting on 5G trials in the country Prasad said, “Trials for 5G technology will begin in 100 days…It shall be our endeavour that 5G is used for deprived sectors and social causes as well.” He also noted, “This calendar year we should auction…we have adequate spectrum.”
“It shall be our endeavour that 5G technology is also used for deprived sections, social causes, education and health, and for bringing technology to rural people,” Prasad said.
Additionally, Prasad also informed to revive BSNL and MTNL service. He said, “We will also take steps for revival of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd as the government believes that in order to maintain sober equilibrium in the industry, public sector must be present and it is in the nation’s interest that they remain healthy. However, BSNL and MTNL also need to become professional and adopt competitive attitude.”
The Indian government also aims to rollout five lakh public WiFi hotspots on “priority basis” in order to boost digital connectivity. With this move, the Indian government aims to shift users from mobile networks to WiFi networks and also ease network congestion.
