Ericsson showcases nearly 1000X faster fifth-generation network
Days after pegging that fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology would be a USD 27.3-billion opportunity for Indian telcos by 2026, mobile technology major Ericsson on Friday demonstrated the new technology, delivering a speed of 5.7 gigabyte per second. The prevalent fourth-generation (4G) networks in the country are reportedly found to be offering an average speed of 6.13 megabytes per second. The Indian government wants to introduce 5G by 2020. Ericsson claimed this is the first-ever live demonstration of a 5G network in the country which was done using its 5G test bed and 5G NR radio. "The demonstration using Ericsson's 5G test bed delivers a throughput of 5.7Gbps and ultra-low latency of three milliseconds," it said in a statement.
Ericsson's head for Southeast Asia Nunzio Mirtillo said the firm was getting ready for the 5G-play given the Indian government’s vision to introduce new generation services by 2020. The company had recently come out with a report saying India will have over 10 million 5G subscriptions by 2023 and had also pegged the total revenue potential to be USD 27.3 billion by 2026.
This will be over and above a USD 63-billion revenue estimated to come from traditional services, it said. "Introduction of 5G technology will bring a new level of performance and characteristics to the telecom networks enabling new services and creating new ecosystems. New revenue streams will open for operators as they go beyond being connectivity and infrastructure providers, to become service enablers and service creators," Ericsson India managing director Nitin Bansal said. The largest opportunity will be in sectors like manufacturing, energy and utilities followed by public safety and the health sectors, the company said. Agriculture will be a USD 400-million opportunity from 5G with applications like field monitoring and mapping, livestock routing and monitoring, it said. Retail will be a USD 1.15 billion opportunity by 2026 as 5G can be used for revolutionizing customer experience and increase operational efficiencies, it said.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had in August issued a consultation paper seeking industry views on spectrum auctions in the future, which may see the debut of 5G airwaves being sold, reports PTI. India is not on the radar for Tata Motors Ltd's Jaguar Land Rover when it comes to global expansion plans, even as it remains on an expansion spree in many other markets, led by China. The luxury carmaker is setting up a new factory in Slovakia after opening an engine plant in China, reports Cogencis.
"In Pune, we currently assemble cars...we are convinced this is the right strategy given current market conditions," Ralph Speth, chief executive officer, said in an interview to Tata Review, an in-house publication.
Jaguar Land Rover already has a manufacturing plant in China, its largest market with joint venture partner Chery Automobile Co where it produces China-specific vehicles like the Jaguar XFL among others.
"China is a focus country for us," Speth said. More products specifically designed and engineered for China will be launched soon. Sales in China accounted for 21% of the total 604,009 units sold by the company in 2016-17 (AprMar).
On the current wave of electrification sweeping the global automotive industry, Speth said, "We are already on the journey to electrification and that journey will be transformative."
By 2020, all Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles will have a full electric or hybrid variant.
Speth underlined the important role government and other agencies need to play in rapid adoption of electric vehicles. Financial incentives along with investments are key to set up supporting infrastructure, he said.
Electric vehicles will not have universal acceptance without 24-hour access to affordable energy to power them.
Jaguar Land Rover also plans to attract the best talent in the business to take on competition. "We are a technology company and that is reflected in our workforce and manufacturing process."