India’s upcoming 5G network is being introduced by Reliance Jio, the country’s first telecom company to do so.
At the 44th annual general meeting, the company also announced the launch of the JioPhone Next, which will be one of the most affordable 4G phones.
The JioPhone Next will come with a customized Android version. This version has reportedly been co-developed by Jio and Google.
Jio To Be The First One To Launch 5G Network In India
Additionally, a test network has already proven that more than 1 Gbps can be delivered after the regulatory approval was given to Jio. Trial spectrum has also been shown to Reliance Jio, where 5G trials will be run on a site in Navi Mumbai.
According to Jio, it will be the first telecom operator to introduce a 5G network to consumers. Also, the current 4G network should be able to update to the new generation network.
No specific date has been set for the launch of the 5G network.
Jio has reportedly acquired a spectrum of 800 MHz, 1,800 MHz, and 2,300 MHz bands in 22 circles across India. As per reports, the spectrum is licensed for 20 years at the cost of INR 573 billion ($7.7 billion). This will be paid over the next 18 years.
Jio Partners With Qualcomm To Build 5G Network Infrastructure
Also, Jio has partnered with Qualcomm to build its own 5G network infrastructure and virtualized Radio Access Network (RAN). Through virtualized RAN, a company’s 5G software can operate on conventional off-the-shelf servers rather than requiring a dedicated server.
By using this technology, the rollout of a 5G network can be accelerated.
There also was news that the three leading telecom operators of India, Bharti Airtel Ltd., Reliance JioInfocomm Ltd., Vodafone Idea Ltd., and MTNL, are now in a conflict about the issuing of spectrum allocation which is for introducing the satellite communications (Satcom) in India.
Several of these telcos have partnered with original equipment manufacturers and technology providers, such as Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, and C-DOT. In addition, Reliance Jio will be using its own technology to conduct the trials. The 5G trials will not include Chinese gear makers.
As per reports, the DoT has allotted the experimental spectrum in various bands, which include the mid-band (3.2 GHz to 3.67 GHz), the millimeter-wave band (24.25 GHz to 28.5 GHz), and in Sub-Gigahertz band (700 GHz).