5G technology required to run the unique digital ID project-TRCSL Chairman

While Sri Lanka is on the brink of introducing the unique digital ID for all citizens in the country which is set to roll out this year, the need for high speed Internet connection arises to perform the task. The solution for this is the implementation of the 5G technology, says Jayantha De Silva, Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL).

He made these remarks while attending the launch of the Airtel 5G trials in Sri Lanka last Tuesday at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. Mr. De Silva is also the Secretary to the Ministry of Technology and Secretary to the State Ministry of Digital, Technology and Enterprise Development.

He said, “We have a lot of emphasis between people to people and business to business. As technology is one part of communication, in Sri Lanka communication is mainly run by the private sector. The unique digital ID project will not be of any benefit, if we don’t have a proper communication platform. To have better communication platforms you need high speed Internet such as the 5G technology.” All 10 fingerprints and the iris will be scanned where each individual will have a unique points system when the digital ID comes into play, he added.

Mr. De Silva also mentioned that the court automation system is one of the biggest projects the technology sector has introduced. Also Rs. 100 billion is allocated for five tech parks around the country which have already commenced. “We want to give people zero spending cost,” he noted.

Bharti Airtel Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, CEO and Managing Director, Ashish Chandra at the event stated that 5G is still an evolving technology and a roadmap needs to be laid to monitor and perform trials before the official implementation. “Sri Lanka has been in an advanced stage in terms of adopting 5G technology and the government is on an overdrive to implement it,” he added.

According a media release Airtel said its 5G network recorded speeds of over 1.9 Gbps, the highest speed ever recorded in the country. Airtel 5G is fully equipped to deliver up to 10 times more speed, 10 times lower latency and 100 times concurrency compared to existing technologies. Building on the company’s significant investments towards network upgrades, the commencement of 5G trials puts Airtel among the world’s latest in mobile technology and network innovations.