What is 5G and How China Plans to use it and How India needs to Get out of the Trap and Capitalise

5G or 5th Generation Telecommunications is upcoming technology and the Global War between Top Tech companies had already started about 6 months back. 5G Technology can give enhanced data speeds of upto Multi Gbps, seamless connectivity,low latency,massive network capacity,increased availability and it will be a shot in the arm for India’s flagship Digital India campaign. Any country that aspires to be a Super Power has to reap complete benefits of 5G as penetration and functionality of this new technology will determine which country grows and dominates 21st Century World order.

India with World’s Youngest population and the Fastest Technology in the world : 5G can be a deadly combination and this can skyrocket India into Top Economic Powers of the world. The Biggest Challenge for India however is development of Indigenous hardware for 5G. Chinese Govt controlled Huawei is World leader in 5G followed by Swedish firm Ericsson . Huawei was slated to conduct 5G trials in India but this looks highly unlikely now after Galwan Incident.

Reasons why 5G can be a game changer for India :

1. India is focusing on Atmanirbhar Bharat now and with increased Govt focus on Chinese trade, material,technology and equipment, Indian Telcos have great chance to develop indigenous technology and create disruption in the world.
2. Reliance Jio has got Huge investments from Big Tech companies like FB, Google,Qualcomm and Intel and in recent AGM,Mr. Ambani told the country how Jio plans to spend on 5G and is already working on a cheap 5G phone for Indians. This will certainly be a gamechanger and Jio can be next Huawei in terms of size.
3. Indigenous 5G technology will also create new Jobs in Telecom space, will attract foreign attention and India can be on a path to be the new exporter of 5G technology and equipments in future.
4. 5G penetration will help Education sector,Financial Services,Media,Defence,Space and all these sectors will contribute immensely to India’s economic growth.
5. 5G will help in economic growth of backward and remote areas in India, give them enhanced connectivity with mainstream India and Jio will play a crucial role in this -> to develop affordable 5G Tech.
6. 5G will also coincide with India’s dream of becoming 5 Trillion economy by 2024, and 5G will certainly increase the chances of this by strengthening banking and Financial Services sector and help strengthen India’s Online Infrastructure.

Chinese Threats :

China has developed 4 Pillars to dominate the world : 5G, Belt and Road Initiative(BRI),Chinese Standards 2035 and Digital Silk Route. Chinese dominance of 5G and Artificial Intelligence will help it to intrude into multiple countries. 5G is the master stroke that enables the efficient gathering of global data from around the world, which will give cost efficiency to products listed in China 2035 and help China set global standards. Huawei was on track to do just that by selling 5G hardware to USA,UK,India,Australia and other countries.

1. Indian pushback against Chinese after Galwan incident has galvanised all World Powers against Chinese. India banning 59 Chinese apps and putting a block on all Chinese investment into India has led to other countries following suit.
2. Britain stopped sale of 5G equipment from Huawei,Australia did the same, USA blocked Tiktok for all Govt Employees and banned Huawei and its supporting companies from entering USA to prevent critical data leak to Chinese Communist party.
3. All above actions will deflate evil ideas of CCP. Externally for China’s global economic dominance and loss of bargaining power, while internally it could lead to internal strife and discontent, degrading the social contract of “the better life” for ordinary Chinese citizen.
4. Big Economies like USA-Japan boycotting Chinese 5G Hardware will be a big blow for China and will weaken it on World stage as well as Economically and internally as well and this will be a Victory for Indian Diplomacy.
5. Issues like de globalisation, US China trade wars, role of China in delaying information of the virus and consequential global suffering and China’s growing belligerence with ASEAN Countries on boundary issues has generated an atmosphere where China hate is growing the world over.
6. Indian Telcos have to be prepared to bear the brunt as in case of delay in development of Indigenous Hardware for 5G, it will have to source Non Chinese 5G Hardware from other countries which will be costly and Govt will have to bail out Telcos here.

D-10 Club as Counter :

In order to circumvent China, UK is proposing the formation of D-10 club which will include G-7 plus 3 countries ->India,South Korea and Australia to strengthen Anti-Chinese grouping. President Trump also talked about expanding G-7 to G-10 and it is important that India plays a Pro active role in this.

The D10 club is being created for channeling investments into existing telecom companies within the 10 member states, and creating alternative suppliers of 5G equipment and other technologies to avoid relying on China. The silver lining here for India is the long pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement will get a new lease of hope and may get expedited.