India aims for telecom leadership: Industry insights from day two of India Mobile Congress 2024
Industry leaders took to the stage to share their insights on the rapid evolution of technology in India, with a specific focus on 5G and 6G technologies. The event highlighted India’s ambitions to not only catch up with global telecom trends but to take a leading role in the upcoming wave of innovations.
The Indian government’s messaging was clear: while the country may have been a step behind in the 4G race, it set a global record for the fastest rollout of 5G. Now, the focus is on securing a leadership position in the next-generation 6G technology.
N. Ganapathy Subramaniam, Advisor at TCS Telco Strategic Initiative, emphasized the transformation of networks into software-defined systems. “More and more of the network is getting embedded in by software. The networks are becoming software-defined. So, hopefully, leveraging our strengths, we are in a position to make a lot more contribution to 6G,” he remarked, highlighting the critical role software will play in the future of telecom networks.
Adding a global perspective, Paritosh Prajapati, CEO of GX Group, shed light on the global competition in innovation. “We come from Europe, and there is a panic there. All vendors are getting into panic mode as we are losing IP rights and innovation. That innovation is happening here in India,” Prajapati said, stressing India’s rising role as a hub for research, development, and intellectual property in the tech sector. With numerous global companies setting up R&D centers in India, the country is fast becoming a powerhouse for digital technology innovation.
While 6G was a major talking point, leaders also emphasized the need to make 5G more accessible to the masses. Savi Soin, Senior Vice President and India President of Qualcomm, addressed the affordability issue, stating, “I think ₹7,000 to ₹10,000 is the sweet spot where the mass market is looking for 5G devices.” This price point would allow millions of Indians to access the benefits of high-speed internet and improved connectivity.
Echoing this sentiment, Muralikrishnan B, President of Xiaomi India, reinforced the company’s commitment to affordable 5G solutions. “I believe we are ready for the nation to start experiencing the power of 5G in the sub-₹10,000 segment and get all the benefits of high speed, low latency that 5G networks offer,” he said.
As the India Mobile Congress 2024 continues, the key takeaway is that India is not only embracing the future of telecom with open arms but is positioning itself as a global leader in innovation. The country’s rapid 5G rollout, combined with a focused push towards 6G, is setting the stage for India to play a significant role in shaping the future of digital connectivity.
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