Ericsson India has showcased 5G demonstration using its 5G test bed and 5G NR Radio in order to assist telecom operators to launch 5G networks by 2020.

With this, Ericsson becomes the first telecom equipment maker to showcase the 5G use cases for Indian telecom stakeholders. Telecom equipment makers such as Nokia, Huawei and ZTE are also active in the Indian telecom market with strong 5G growth strategy. India has more than 1 billion mobile phone SIM connections.

Indian telecom operators such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, BSNL and Vodafone-Idea are aiming for their 5G supremacy.

The Indian government is planning to sell 5G spectrum during the next year to mop up more revenue. Recently, COAI, a telecom industry association in India, warned the telecom regulator TRAI against selling 5G spectrum immediately in the wake of the poor business conditions in the country.

The 5G technology exhibition at the Ericsson Connect 2017 in India has featured several 5G use cases and essential technologies on the road to 5G including Gigabit LTE and License Assisted Access (LAA).

Other technology innovation presented at the trade show includes advancements in radio network evolution, 5G ready transport and network slicing.

Ericsson India Managing Director Nitin Bansal said 5G technology has the potential to bring 43 percent incremental revenue to Indian telecom operators by 2026.

Ericsson says investment in 5G will enable Indian telecom operators to create a fresh revenue opportunity of $27 billion by 2026.

Manufacturing, energy, utilities, public safety and health sectors will bring revenue opportunities for Indian telecom operators.

Indian telecom operators’ revenue from traditional business will grow up to $63 billion by 2026.

Agriculture will create revenue opportunities of $400 million for Indian telecom operators. The application of 5G will be in areas such as field monitoring and mapping, livestock routing and monitoring, on-field applications, and related services.

Indian retail sector will create $1.15 billion revenue opportunity for Indian mobile operators.

Damini Juyal and Baburajan K