#17: 5G internet

All you need to know for UPSC about 5G

PM Modi launched 5G in India. This post will tell you everything you need to know for UPSC about 5G. Save it to your notes.

Image: Times of India

Important definition

- Latency: Time delay in data packets from A to B
- Spectrum: invisible radio frequencies on which wireless signal travels
- Band: range of radio frequency
- Standalone: independent architecture for given G
- Fiberisation: radio towers connected via optical fiber

Basics

- 30-300 GHz (millimeter wave spectrum)
- Peak speed 10 Gbps (4G: 100Mbps)
- Latency: 1 millisecond (4G: 10-100 ms)
- Long Term Evolution: 30-300 GHz (4G: <6GHz)

Evolution

- "Very high" frequency
- High download speed
- Enhanced connectivity
- Low interference from surroundings
- Greater savings for connected devices (push to IoT)

Working, in 3 bands

- Low Band: wide coverage but lower speed (100Mbps), can penetrate through wall/window, long range communication
- Mid Band: Higher speed, limited coverage
- High Band: Highest speed, no penetration through window/wall, short range communication

Advantages

- Improved fintech, agriculture & healthcare experience
- Boost to digital infra -> socio-economic growth
- Job creation
- Tech advancement + higher digital literacy going forward

Challenges

- Standalone v/s Non-Standalone architecture
- Digital divide in our demography
- Critical infrastructure overhaul
- High cost eventually lands on customer
- Fiberisation still a challenge

Scene post auction

- 1.5 lac crore revenue
- Payment in 20 equal instalments, no upfront payment obligation (a biz friendly move by govt.)
- Higher debt inevitable in the sector

Architecture

Standalone (SA) v/s Non Standalone Architecture (NSA)

This image will help you understand the difference and form a visual memory

Image: The Hindu

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