Bharti Airtel has conducted trial of India’s first 5G private network at Bosch Automotive Electronics India (RBAI) facility.
Airtel, the #2 telecom operator in India, said it implemented two industrial grade use cases for quality improvement and operational efficiency at Bosch’s manufacturing facility, utilizing the trial spectrum.

In both the cases, 5G technology such as mobile broadband and ultra reliable low latency communications drove automated operations ensuring faster scale up and reduced downtimes.

“Airtel has the world-class infrastructure, partnerships and expertise to deliver Captive Private Network Solution in any part of the country and to enterprises of any size,” said Ajay Chitkara, Director and CEO, Airtel Business.

The private network at the Bosch facility has the capability to manage thousands of connected devices along with delivering multi- GBPS throughput, said Airtel.

“The low latency and reliable connectivity provided by the Airtel Private 5G network at our facility which was experienced during the proof of concept is enabling us to enhance efficiency and productivity,” said Subhash P, Head of Technical Functions, Bosch Automotive Electronics India.

Last year, Airtel demonstrated India’s first 5G experience over a live 4G network in Hyderabad. It has also demonstrated India’s first rural 5G trial as well as the first cloud gaming experience on 5G.

Meanwhile, the Broadband India Forum (BIF) on Friday said the choice of service provider for captive private 5G networks must lie with the enterprises.

The enterprises would have to make do with whatever is offered by the telecom service providers (TSPs), whether satisfactory or not, said BIF President TV Ramachandran.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the industry’s apex body representing telecoms, on Thursday urged the government not to allow Big Tech companies to enter the 5G spectrum auction this month via back door channels.

COAI said the 5G spectrum should not be provided on an administrative basis as it leads to no business case for the rollout of 5G networks in the country.

Adani, Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio will be in race for purchasing 5G spectrum during the auction that will start on July 26.

The Department of Telecom will conduct the auction for selling spectrum in the 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26GHz bands.