5Gi explained: what is 5Gi, how 5Gi is different from 5G, what jio, airtel and VI say about 5GI

5G is yet to be launched in India and the country has taken its time to work out the specifics for it.  While many other countries have had 5G for some time or started with their own 5G, the Indian government is yet to auction the spectrum that will be used for 5G networks.  So what is the reason for the delay?  New reports suggest that the country is looking forward to include a locally designed 5Gi network, developed by IIT Hyderabad and IIT Madras.

It is therefore possible that the Indian government is looking for answers that make them believe that using a 5G network would be more beneficial in the country than going for a global standard 5G setup.  But what is 5G and what do Indian telecom companies have to say about its use.  We tell you everything there is to know.

 What is 5GI?

 5Gi is basically a Made in India 5G standard created through a joint collaboration between IIT Hyderabad and Madras (Chennai).  The network standard has already been approved by the International Communication Union (ITU), which does not readily approve.  So far only three standards have been approved by the ITU.  Reports say that 5Gi will operate on the same bands and spectrum as regular 5G networks.  In fact, many say that 5Gi uses millimeter wave technology to provide high-speed internet connectivity.

5G offers more range at a lower frequency, unlike 5G.  The latter operates in the 700 MHz to 52,000 MHz band and sacrifice on the range.  Theoretically, 5Gi could work with low-end spectrum bands, which would make it more cost-effective.

Benefits of 5Gi

 So, can the domestic 5G standard do a better job than its global counterpart?  Experts say that using the 5G standard will enable telecom companies in the country to expand the 5G connectivity network in villages.  It is also said to be cost-effective as a technology, which can be beneficial if implemented on a large scale by operators in the country.  Rural networks have always lagged behind urban setups, but 5Gi can ensure that there is no lag between 5G advancements in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and rural parts of the country.  5Gi not only promises faster internet connectivity but also helps in improving mobile coverage.

Challenges of 5Gi

 The news about 5G would surely have come as a shock to the telecom operators in the country.  After all, they have spent millions on upgrading their networks to offer 5G connectivity.  And now, out of the blue, the country is considering switching to 5Gi, a local standard.  So, ultimately, if India decides to go with 5G as its default network standard, it could be problematic for telcos.  Their existing setup will need to be remodeled to support the 5Gi standard.  And that will cost them a lot of money once again.

 but that's not all.  The telecom body in the country claims that 5Gi may not work with the global 5G standard which is based on 3GPP technology.  The Cellular Operations Authority of India believes that moving from 5G to 5Gi will be cost-intensive and most likely the local bands will be incompatible with the global network right now.  So, all indications suggest that moving to 5Gi may not be a good idea.

Will India get 5G or 5Gi?

 So far, COAI and other telecom representatives have been instructed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to study the implications and drawbacks of using the 5Gi standard.  The Telecom Authority also wants the COAI to investigate the possible use of 5G by telecom and handset makers.  Do they find it possible to take this step?

 Therefore, before launching the 5G auction in the country, it is imperative that the government finalizes the move, either in favor or against the use of 5G.

What do Jio, Airtel and Vi have to say on 5G?

 Now, this is where things get even more confusing.  Earlier, major telcos Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) and multinational vendors such as Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, and Samsung wanted 5Gi to be compatible with the global standard.  Only then will 5G be possible for India.  But now things have changed.  While Jio is still open to the idea of ​​using 5Gi for its network, Airtel is at loggerhead about redeploying the network which is going to be exorbitantly expensive.  Jio says it is willing to switch if vendors like Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung can offer 5Gi-compatible hardware at a lower price.

But it will not be easy for an old provider like Airtel.  So its disagreement to consider moving from 5G to 5Gi is understandable.  And, don't forget that the Indian telecom sector is in a sick state, which is why most telecom companies have tried to delay the trial and auction of 5G spectrum.  Vodafone Idea also believes that there is a need to reduce the cost of getting 5G spectrum.  Otherwise, the dream of 5G in India will take longer than anyone's imagination.

 Will regular 5G phones support 5Gi networks?

  yes, it is definitely a concern for the end consumer.  Most of the brands have started offering 5G devices in the market and people are buying them.  If 5Gi arrives, it is likely that these phones will not be compatible with local bands for 5G.  This means that people will have to consider buying a new 5G phone.  So, unless technology advances to allow 5G and 5Gi to work together, we could be in a challenging situation in the near future.