How 5G is Transforming India: A Deep Dive into Agriculture, Automotive, and Consumer Electronics

Table of Contents

• Understanding more about 5G
• Insights About 5G in India
• 5G Application in India
  • Automotive Industry
  • Consumer Electronic Industry
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Entertainment
• Some Challenges for 5G Technology

Understanding More About 5G

In the case of cellular networks, 5G is the fifth generation of networks and before it came 4G, 3G, 2G, 1G. These different generations came into existence with the introduction of 1G in the 1980s, and each new generation tried to deliver better connectivity as compared to the previous one.

5G network in India is being currently used and it is helping the consumers get access to high-speed internet to transfer large amounts and the response time has also reduced significantly. The download speed for 5G goes up to 10 gigabits per second, and it is around 100 times faster than 4G.

Consistency in signal even while moving and the ability to support multiple devices has been made possible with the use of new signal spectrums in fifth generation. 5G is also an energy-efficient technology that allows less power usage.

4G LTE has become overloaded in most of the Indian cities, and with the increase in smart gadgets that are mostly internet-connected, it has become a necessity to have a fast mobile network like 5G. The higher-capacity systems of 5G services in India is the reason why 5G network cities in India are increasing slowly and 4G is being replaced slowly.

Insights About 5G in India

The Economic Survey of 2023-24 has stated that India is among the fastest growing markets of 5G in India. In March 2024, International Mobile Broadband Connectivity released their ranking, and India had moved up to the 15th position from 118.

5G network in India is currently covering more than 80% of the population with over 498,000 5G base stations already in place all over the country. Today, India has over 360 million 5G subscribers, which has put India as a leader in mobile data consumption, with an average of 32 GB per month.

5G networks are currently handling 36% of India’s mobile data traffic which shows how fast the adoption of 5G network in India is going on. A report from KPMG presented at the India Mobile Congress 2023 estimated that 5G, 6G, and satellite communications will together add almost $240 billion to India’s economy by FY28. 5G network in India is set to improve the quality of life and also increase economic sustainability.

5G Application in India 

The use of 5G networks goes beyond smartphones. It has improved the operations of many industries ranging from agriculture to automobiles. Below, we have discussed some of the major sectors that are being affected with increased adoption of 5G in India.

Automotive Industry

5G technology allows faster and better communication between automobiles. The high-speed internet connectivity in 5G allows vehicles to easily communicate with each other and with all the sensors present on the road to help avoid any kind of issues.

The increased use of the internet, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), AI technology, etc., in automobiles is also making it possible to introduce new features in automobiles, like voice and gesture recognition, virtual assistance, etc.

Autonomous Driving

Autonomous driving is also being made possible with 5G because the fast transfer of data in 5G help in real-time communication between the sensors, GPS system, cameras, etc. This makes it easy for the vehicle to drive autonomously without any lag between the transmissions and actions. 5G network makes it easy for vehicles to move on the road with better situational awareness.

Remote Vehicle Diagnostics (RVD)

Today, most of the automobiles come with advanced technologies that need to be regularly monitored. In such situations, Remote Vehicle Diagnostics (RVD) becomes a necessity because it helps monitor, diagnose, and solve any kind of issue in the vehicle remotely. 5G network provides high bandwidth, very low response time, and reliable connectivity. This helps drivers to get real-time information about their vehicle condition, predict maintenance requirements, and identify upcoming issues before they turn into major problems.

Monitoring Fleet Management

5G network helps make fleet management easy, and it also makes it possible to track the vehicle in real-time. With 5G connectivity, operators can remotely track vehicle performance and provide timely maintenance updates to prevent breakdowns. This can reduce maintenance expenses to a large extent and also increase the vehicle’s efficiency.

Better Entertainment Options

With 5G it has become easy to stream videos and songs without any buffering. The high speed of 5G network in India has made long drives more enjoyable by offering seamless streaming experience.

Consumer Electronic Industry

5G network with data speed of up to 10 Gbps has made it possible to deliver connectivity that is smooth and ultra-responsive. Streaming high video quality, uninterrupted online gaming, etc., are all possible today due to 5G network. Along with speed, the low latency rate has made augmented reality and visual reality experience better.  

Apart from these features, the 5G network also works well with IOT devices like wearable fitness trackers and smart thermostats. The energy management provided by the 5G network helps such devices to perform well without affecting their longevity.

Agriculture

The faster network speed and lag-free connectivity offered by 5G can improve the agricultural sector by offering precision agriculture and real-time monitoring.

Precision Agriculture

Different kinds of sensors like soils, moisture, etc., send data to servers for analysis and provide precise information about fertilization and irrigation requirements. All this is made possible with the 5G network, and this also reduces wastage of resources.

Automation of Machines

Driverless tractors can work easily in fields by detecting obstacles with the help of AI, IoT, etc. Also, the use of drones for targeted spraying of crops and taking high resolution images has become possible due to the high speed 5G network.

Predictive analytics is also possible with the 5G network, and it helps in pest control and disease detection. Also, RFID detectors make tracking the location of livestock easy for the farmer.

Education

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality in combination with smooth HD video conferencing has made remote teaching possible due to 5G network's high speed connectivity. Learning for students has become more accessible and effective with 5G technology as it has helped bring digital literacy beyond physical classrooms.

Healthcare

5G in India has improved and upgraded the healthcare sector by bridging the urban-rural healthcare gap with virtual consultations and telemedicine. High speed internet has also made remote monitoring of patients possible with real-time data transfer of patients like their medical reports and vitals. 5G technology has also made remote-assisted robotic surgery a reality.

Entertainment

Today, with the growth of 5G technology it has become easier to stream content in 4K or 8K quality. Also, online gaming has reached new levels due to 5G's low latency rates. All this is boosting OTT platforms to create new content or shows while keeping the production costs low. 5G has made premium and buffer-free experience accessible for all.

Some Challenges for 5G Technology

• Managing the cost of 5G technology with increasing features and growth will be a challenge.
• The security and privacy of the consumer's data should be of utmost importance.
• Handling the large amount of data that there will be due to more devices using 5G networks could be difficult to handle.
• Keeping a low latency service could be tough in coming times
• Direct connectivity between two devices will be time-consuming and could need more antennas to be set up.

The advanced features offered by the 5G network include high-speed data transfer, very low latency rates, improved reliability, etc. All these benefits have helped different sectors like healthcare, automobile, agriculture, etc., to grow and scale new heights. In the coming future 5G technology will surely bring more innovations to improve consumer's experience.